Farmfest opens, hosts new U of M president

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - New University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler will make his first community visit this week when he attends Farmfest in Redwood County.

On Wednesday morning, Kaler is scheduled to attend the Minnesota Farm Bureau's annual breakfast then will speak at the Forum tent at 10:15 a.m. He also plans to tour the grounds and meet Farmfest attendees.

Farmfest is the state's largest farm-related event and runs from Aug. 2-4 at the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County.

Several experts from the university will be on hand to discuss agricultural topics, including the university's well-known climatologist Mark Seeley.

In addition, 75 Minnesota families will be honored by the university as Minnesota Farm Families of the Year on Thursday afternoon.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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