The Minnesota AgriGrowth Council announced Tamara Nelsen as its new executive director, according to a press release. Nelsen will assume her new role effective Feb. 1.

Nelsen is the senior director of commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau. In that role, Nelsen managed all commodities department activities and programs, and served as the major resource on commodity issues, including biotechnology and international trade.

Prior to joining the Illinois Farm Bureau, Nelsen was a senior consultant in agricultural marketing in Washington, D.C. and assistant executive director with the International Policy Council on Agriculture, Food and Trade. She served as treasurer and secretary of the IPC since 1995 and on USDA’s Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Feed, Grain and Oilseeds.

“We are very excited to bring Tamara’s wealth of knowledge on commodity programs, international ag and food policy, and a topic of ever increasing importance – international trade, to AgriGrowth,” said Chairman of the AgriGrowth Board of Directors Pat Lunemann. “With a new Farm Bill on the horizon and trade agreements to be signed soon, her expert knowledge is going to be a tremendous asset to our members.”

Nelsen earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in international relations from Stanford University and a master’s in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Her master of business administration emphasis was in agricultural marketing, which she pursued through advanced coursework at Purdue University’s Center for Agricultural Business.

“I am excited to return to my Minnesota roots, to work on behalf of the most innovative agribusinesses in the world,” Nelsen said. “AgriGrowth plays an essential role in representing and advocating for their member companies and associations with policy makers at both the state and federal level. I’m grateful for this new opportunity with AgriGrowth and look forward to working on their behalf to help support and enhance the business climate and Minnesota’s economy.”