Homegrown Giving Southern Minn Page

Below you can learn all about our 2026 recipient for the Southern Minnesota region. To learn about previous winners, please visit our Past Winners Page.

2026 Winner: Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum

The Mini Sota Agricultural Children’s Museum has been selected as a recipient of a $10,000 ACH Seeds Homegrown Giving award, recognizing the organization’s efforts to educate children and families about agriculture through interactive, hands-on learning experiences.

Founded in 2022, the Mini Sota Agricultural Children’s Museum was created by a group of local parents who saw an opportunity to transform a vacant downtown Benson pharmacy into a space where children could play, learn and connect with agriculture. The museum opened its doors in December 2025 and has quickly become a destination for families, educators, and agricultural organizations across west central Minnesota.

ACH Seeds' Central Region Manager Jake Boersma presents the donation check to the Mini Sota Children's Museum.

Focused on showcasing the importance of agriculture in Minnesota, the museum features exhibits that highlight everything from soil health and farm safety to food production and agricultural careers.

Visitors can explore how crops and livestock contribute to everyday life while learning about the many people and industries involved in bringing food from the farm to the table.

The Homegrown Giving award will help the museum expand curriculum, educational programming and exhibits related to sugarbeet production and local processing.

Hear from the Winner

To receive this recognition from ACH Seeds shows there is a need for agricultural education and storytelling, especially around crops like sugarbeets that are such an important part of our region.

Katie Saterbak Museum Board Chair

Eligible Counties

Minnesota - Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift and Yellow Medicine