BROOKINGS, S.D. - SDSU Extension will host the Fifth Annual Beginning Farmer and Rancher Symposium November 16, 2016, on the campus of South Dakota State University.
The symposium theme, "Farming with family - Will Your Plan Work?" is geared towards 18 to 22 year-olds planning to return to the family farm or ranch; or are considering production agriculture as a future career. The public is also invited to attend. "As the number of multi-generational farming operations grow in the state, effective planning and communication within the family is increasingly important," said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist. "To avoid conflict in the future all family members must have an understanding of how and when the transition of labor and management duties will occur." Gessner added that many college-age students are passionate about returning to the family farm or ranch. "If returning to the operation is to become a sustainable reality, open communication between all family members is necessary." John Baker, an attorney with the Iowa Concern Hotline is the event's keynote speaker. Baker has been working with multi-generational farm families for more than 30 years. Throughout his career he has worked to help beginning farmers through the creation of farm linkingprograms, development of legislation in Iowa, classroom seminars and research projects around the world. "Mr. Baker brings vast experience to share with his audiences," Gessner says. Baker will share with the audience examples of what he has seen work for families he has advised. The symposium will also host two panel discussions. One will feature bankers and industry professionals who will provide insight into what they have seen work for farm families, and provide information on what to avoid. The second panel discussion is titled "Voices of Experience". This panel will be made up of beginning farmers who have returned to their family's operation and will share the "ups and downs" of some of their stories. Agenda11:30 a.m. Registration opensNoon Welcome and introductions12:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker, John Baker1:45 p.m. Networking break with sponsors2 p.m. Panel-Lenders perspective of beginning farmers3:25 p.m. Ice Cream and networking break with sponsors3:45 p.m. Panel-voices of experience from returning to the farm farmers4:45 p.m. Wrap-up and door prize announcements RegistrationEarly registration for the Symposium is highly encouraged and available at iGrow.org/events . There is no fee to attend. All attendees are asked to follow SDSU parking rules and regulations. "Keeping the symposium free to attendees is an important element of providing this information to beginning farmers," Gessner said, "Without the amazing support from South Dakota companies and organizations; we would not be able to do that." Sponsors of the program include: Farm Credit Services of America, First Dakota National Bank Legacy team, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Farmer's Union, SD-NRCS, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Keeping Farmland in Farmers' Hands, South Dakota Wheat Growers, USDA-FSA, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, Morgan Theeler, and MetaBank.
