Steve Peterson

Steve Peterson was the director of sourcing sustainability at General Mills, from August 2010 until his retirement in August 2015. He led Contract Manufacturing at General Mills from 2005-2010. Peterson was a member of the Integration team creating the combined Supply Chain resulting from the General Mills and Pillsbury merger. Previously, Peterson was Senior Director Ingredient Sourcing at Pillsbury from 1995-2001.

Alongside his corporate career, Peterson has always been in production agriculture. Steve’s father was one of the founders of the MN turkey industry, so he grew up working on the farms and mill. Currently, Steve owns and operates Peterson Farms, a crop & beef operation located near Paynesville, MN.

Now, Peterson has combined his decades of experience in food & agriculture to lead key industry organizations. Steve served as Board Chair of Field to Market 2014-2015. In late 2015, Steve formed SLP, LLC Consulting advising the food & ag industry. Steve co-founded Headwaters Ag Sustainability Partnerships (HASP) serving as Chair. He currently serves on the MN Agri-Growth Council Board and is past Chair.

Peterson’s educational background includes a M.S. degree in Agriculture & Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota and a BA degree from St. Olaf College. He serves on several non-profit boards including Community Giving, Paynesville Area Community Foundation, Paynesville Historical Society, and CentraCare Paynesville Operating Committee.

Steve resides in Paynesville, MN with his wife Dr. Mary Wilkens where he does “community building” in Central Minnesota.