The Chamber Link Ep. 34: Inside Fargo’s Rising AgTech Ecosystem

The Chamber Link Ep. 34: Inside Fargo’s Rising AgTech Ecosystem

In this episode of the Chamber Link, host Jane Vangsness Frisch, Vice President of Workforce for the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, dives into the intersection of agriculture, innovation and economic growth. Joined by Andrew Jason (Ecosystems Director at Grand Farm) and Allison Weckman (National Science Foundation AgTech Engine in North Dakota), the conversation previews the highly anticipated AgTech Week Fargo. From massive federal investments to on-farm testing networks, discover how the Red River Valley is solidifying its legacy as a global leader in agricultural technology.Key Highlights From the EpisodeThe Midwest Agriculture Summit: AgTech Week officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 9, with the Chamber’s morning summit at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds. The event features a powerhouse lineup, including the agriculture commissioners of North Dakota and Minnesota, the agriculture secretary of South Dakota and international perspectives from the Consul Generals of China, Canada and Mexico.NSF AgTech Engine & Field Forward: North Dakota hosts one of only nine regional innovation engines funded by the National Science Foundation, focusing on food security and blending modern technology with the generational knowledge of five tribal nations. The engine, which represents an investment of up to $180 million over 10 years, has successfully moved into its next phase of funding. They will host a free “Field Forward” event on Tuesday afternoon at Crooked Lane Farm, featuring live technology demos and on-farm testing insights from partners like AgLaunch.Grand Farm’s Cultivate Conference: Happening on Thursday, June 11, at the Sinclair Event Center, this conference will launch the Regional Agriculture Pain Point Report, outlining the top five challenges producers face. Content will be curated around these challenges, featuring over 50 speakers addressing crop diversification, agricultural cooperatives and new technologies.USDA National Proving Grounds Network: Grand Farm recently launched a pilot partnership with the USDA to scientifically evaluate and validate the return on investment (ROI) of novel technologies, starting with weed detection and destruction capabilities (such as lasers and see-and-spray systems). Testing is taking place both in North Dakota and through a partnership with the University of Georgia.A Fully Loaded AgTech Week: The week also features Bushel’s customer conference on Wednesday—highlighting how the local software company is digitizing grain delivery tickets—and wraps up on Friday with the Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society’s organic and regenerative AgTech field day at Grand Farm.

The Chamber Link Ep. 33: Decoding Fargo’s Infrastructure Sales Tax

Ever wonder who really pays for the streets you drive on or the water in your tap? On this episode of The Chamber Link, host Katherine Grindberg dives into the details of Fargo City Measure No. 1, a proposed infrastructure sales tax on the upcoming June 9, 2026, ballot. Joined by Cale Dunwoody, Tami Norgard and John Gunkelman, the group breaks down why this “penny tax” is a continuation of a vision started in 2006 to fund the city’s most critical needs without overburdening residents. They discuss: * The “Penny” Impact: How a single cent generates roughly $30 million a year for streets, wastewater treatment, and flood protection. * The Cost of “No”: Why a failure to extend this tax could lead to a 26% increase in water rates and a 46% spike in sewer rates for Fargo residents. * Regional Responsibility: The logic behind why visitors from the surrounding region—reaching up to 700,000 people within a 100-mile radius—should help fund the infrastructure they use. * Infrastructure Essentials: A look at major projects like the Red River Valley Water Supply, which aims to drought-proof the region for decades to come. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a business owner concerned about special assessments, this episode provides the data you need to make an informed decision at the polls. Voter Resources Mentioned * FargoPennyTax.com: For deep-dive data on the measure. * VoteFMWF.org: A non-partisan resource for candidate profiles and voting locations in Cass County. Election Day is Tuesday, June 9. Make sure your voice is heard!

The Chamber Link Ep. 32: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

In this episode of the Chamber Link, Jane Vangsness Frisch, vice president of workforce for The Chamber, dives into the critical importance of career awareness, exploration and preparation for our emerging generations.Joined by a passionate panel of educators and workforce leaders, the discussion centers on how the region is proactively tackling talent attraction and retention years before students even graduate.Guests include Darcy, a former high school English teacher who now facilitates professional development; Heidi Schultz, The Chamber's workforce engagement coordinator; and Dr. Jonas, director of career and technical education. Together, they explore how connecting local businesses with educators is the key to a thriving economic future.Key Takeaways:- The Power of C3Tech: Discover how the Cass County Career and Technical Education Center (C3Tech) network collaborates across eight high schools to share programs, instructors and learning spaces, maximizing career exploration opportunities for nearly 30,000 K-12 students.- EDventures week: Learn about this free, four-day immersive professional development initiative kicking off on June 15 that takes educators directly into local businesses, from manufacturing facilities to tech companies. Educators can earn continuing education credits through North Dakota State University while discovering career opportunities to bring back to their classrooms.- Work-based learning tiers: Dr. Jonas breaks down the tiered approach to career readiness, starting with foundational career lessons and field trips in early education, moving to job shadows, and culminating in hands-on cooperative work experiences and internships for high schoolers.- Ambitious regional goals: The panel highlights bold new initiatives driven by public school leaders, including a goal to engage 650 regional businesses in work-based learning within the next year. They also aim to have 25% of high school seniors complete a work-based learning experience before graduation.Whether you are an educator looking to sign up for the upcoming EDventures week (registration is open until June 6) or a local business ready to inspire a student by offering a job shadow or internship, there is a place for you to make an impact. Businesses of any size can easily get involved by reaching out to The Chamber or utilizing the Compass tool through Golden Path Solutions to connect with future talent.

The Chamber Link Ep. 31: Navigating mentorship at every career stage

In today's fast-paced professional landscape, mentorship remains the cornerstone of career longevity and leadership development. In this episode of The Chamber Link, host Setareh Campion sits down with three dynamic leaders from the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community to deconstruct what it really means to guide (and be guided) in 2026.Joining the conversation are: * Abby Zimmerman (FMWF Chamber of Commerce) * Grace Rebel (Marvin) * Matt Prochniak (Moore Engineering) Together, they share personal stories from the "trenches" of early-career transitions and the unexpected lessons learned from being both a mentor and a mentee. From the vulnerability of making the "uncomfortable" first ask to the importance of building a "village" of advisors across different industries, this episode is a masterclass in professional networking and growth.Key highlights include: * Myth-Busting: Why you don’t need to be a C-suite executive to be a powerful mentor. * Intentional Collisions: How to use community events and LinkedIn to spark authentic professional relationships. * The "Be Stronger Together" Philosophy: Lessons from Marvin on building a collaborative company culture. * Actionable Steps: Simple, daily habits to start your mentorship journey today. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to give back or a recent graduate looking for clarity, this episode offers the roadmap you need to foster connections that move your career forward.

The Chamber Link Ep. 30: A Legacy of Leadership with Marilyn Guy

In this episode of The Chamber Link, Chamber President and CEO Shannon Full and Executive Vice President Katherine Grindberg sit down with the 2026 Legacy Leader, Marilyn Guy, to discuss a lifetime dedicated to education, mentorship and community stewardship. With over 50 years of experience shaping institutions and students alike, Marilyn reflects on her journey from the classroom to leadership roles at Concordia College and Oak Grove. She shares her philosophy of "walking alongside" emerging leaders, the importance of leading with humility and how a deep commitment to people defines a true legacy. We also get an inside look at The Chamber’s revamped premier event, The Awards, coming to the Delta Hotels on May 7. Learn about the new categories honoring Rising and Distinguished leaders, and why this "evening of excellence" is the must-attend celebration for the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo business community. Key highlights: - Marilyn’s wisdom: Heartfelt lessons on mentorship and the vital role of advocating for teachers and students. - Leading through adversity: Why true leadership is defined by actions taken in the face of challenges, not just when things are going right. - The Awards preview: A sneak peek at the May 7 celebration, including details on the elevated evening Business of the Year honors. - Community impact: Insights into what makes the region a unique hub for innovation, collaboration and high-quality education.