USDA is hosting 33 foreign agricultural officials from 29 countries in Minnesota this coming week (September 7-13). The visit is part of an annual orientation tour USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service sponsors to promote American agriculture and expand global markets for U.S. farm and food products.

FAS Administrator Mike Yost says this year’s tour will provide foreign officials with a first-hand look at General Mills and Cargill - the Minneapolis Grain Exchange - a corn ethanol plant - a litter-fueled power plant - a sugar beet cooperative - and the agriculture department at the University of Minnesota.

According to USDA - Minnesota food and agricultural exports totaled 3.6-billion dollars last year - ranking seventh among the 50 states. Those exports supported 35-thousand American jobs. Corn, hogs, soybeans, dairy products, cattle and calves are the state’s leading commodities - with the value of farm receipts for these products totaling 9.8-billion dollars in 2006.