MSGA Director Appointed To FSA State Committee

Jan 19, 2026

For Jim Kukowski, a little patience goes a long way.

Nearly a year after he was first nominated to serve on the Minnesota USDA Farm Service Agency state committee, the Strathcona farmer was formally appointed on Jan. 14, 2026, by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to serve on the five-member committee.

Kukowski said he was humbled and grateful to be nominated last year by members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

“I appreciate Reps. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber for their support,” Kukowski said. “It’s a great honor to be able to represent our farmers and especially be an advocate for producers here in northern Minnesota.”

Kukowski has enjoyed a lengthy career in agriculture leadership at the local, state and national levels. Kukowski previously served on the FSA state committee during the first Trump administration, is Roseau County’s FSA chair and has been a member of the National Resources Conservation Service Tech Advisory Group since 2003. Kukowski has been a director with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) for over 10 years and currently sits on MSGA’s Governing Board. He has also represented Minnesota on the American Soybean Association since 2018.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.