The state of Minnesota is seeking hundreds of applicants for vacancies on various state boards, councils and committees.

If you have ever considered getting more involved in influencing state direction, this is your chance.

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State released notice Nov. 1 of hundreds of openings — 732 vacancies to be exact. Some vacancies may be of special interest to rural folks involved in agriculture.

Here are some of those vacancies:

• Board of Water and Soil Resources. One seat is open for a county commissioner, one for a soil and water conservation district supervisor and one for a watershed district representative.

• Food Safety and Defense Task Force. One seat is open for a statewide farm organization rep.

• Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee. Five seats are open.

• Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Two seats are open for a governor-appointed public member: one seat for a House-appointed public member and one seat for a Senate-appointed public member.

• Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. One seat is open for one public member from the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th congressional districts.

• Minnesota Rural Finance Authority. Two seats are open to the public.

The governor’s office even issued a news release that encouraged state residents to apply.

“Serving on a state board or commission is another opportunity for Minnesotans to participate in democracy and make their voices heard,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “I encourage Minnesotans from every corner of the state and from all backgrounds and political ideologies to apply.”

Interested in learning more and applying? First, you need to complete an open appointments application through the secretary of state’s website. If online doesn’t work for you or need an alternative application format, contact Bibi Black, general counsel for the Office of the Secretary of State, at [email protected].

On the “open positions” page on the website, scroll down to find the agency/board/council of interest and choose the correct seat type, and click the button that says “apply.” The system will walk you through creating an application profile. You will also be allowed to attach a letter of interest and a resume or biography.

All applications must be submitted within 21 days of the “publish date” listed on the open positions webpage. Appointing authorities may choose to review applications received by the secretary of state after the 21-day application period.

Paper applications may be submitted by email to Open Appointments, or by mail or in person to Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, 180 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St Paul, MN 55155-1299.