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    Taking
                                                                   My journey into agriculture is a unique one. I grew up in
                                                                   Harlem, New York, about five blocks from the famous Apollo

                                                                   Theatre—a major force in the emergence of jazz, swing,
                                                                   bebop, R&B, gospel, blues and soul with music greats like
                                                                   Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight and Lauryn
           the                                                     During my senior year of high school, my mom and I were
                                                                   Hill—but far from an agricultural hub.

                                                                   talking about college. She asked what I wanted to study. I told
                                                                   her I wanted to be a lawyer.
                                                                      “There are too many lawyers out there,” she replied. “What
                                                                   about agriculture?”
                                                                      “I don’t want to be a farmer.” I was a young, city slicker.
           Farm                                                    than you can ever imagine.”
                                                                      “Patrice, agriculture is so much more than farming. It includes more

                                                                      The conversation stuck with me. I didn’t realize at the
                                                                   time it would change the very direction of my life.
                                                                      I headed off to Prairie View A&M University, a historically
                                                                   Black college in Prairie View, Texas. While there, I attended the
                                                                   World Food Expo in Chicago and met Dan Glickman, Secretary
                                                                   of Agriculture under the Clinton administration. As we walked
           Road                                                    into the Expo, my preconceived notions were shattered. I saw
                                                                   companies I never considered to be a part of agriculture: Glacier
                                                                   Water, Coca-Cola, Pepperidge Farm. I began to recognize the
                                                                   wisdom in my mom’s words. Farming was part of agriculture
                                                                   but so were multinational businesses, research institutions and
                                                                   technology. My worldview of agriculture was wide open, and I
                                                                   wanted to be a part of it all.

                                                                   Minnesota Department of Agriculture

                            By Patrice Bailey, Assistant Commissioner,    Eventually, my path led to my current role as the Assistant
                            Minnesota Department of Agriculture    Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
                                                                   (MDA). I oversee outreach, agricultural marketing and
                                                                   development, dairy and meat inspection, and food and feed
                                                                   safety. I have witnessed how crucial agriculture is in all of

         6  FEAST! Local Foods Magazine

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