Breakout Session Descriptions
10:20 a.m.
Making Sense of Grants and Programs Available to Farmers | NRCS/FSA/SARE/MDA/Stearns SWCD (Celebration Room)
Whether you are a beginner, mid-career, or seasoned farmer, making sense of all the grant and service programs out there can make a person's head spin. Representatives of Minnesota Dept of Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Minnesota Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Services, as well as Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District, will share information about their programs and grants available.
Foundations of Effective Farm Meetings | Kiley Fleming (Rox Room)
We can better and more harmoniously reach goals through the establishment of effective farm meetings. Creating structures that distinguish between the business operations and family relations helps develop boundaries around both so that mutual success can occur. A well-executed farm meeting that evaluates the family farm backdrop, creates a real foundation, and applies useful practices can achieve intended goals, honor the needs involved, and allow for healthy relationships.
Emergency Planning for Your Farm: Prepare Today; Be Ready Tomorrow | Emily Krekelberg (Bennies Room)
Preparation and planning are key to managing an emergency and will save you valuable time if a disaster occurs on your farm. Emergencies and disasters can include illness, injury, and inclement weather. In this session, we will learn about various types of emergencies on farms and how to prepare for and respond to them. Emily will cover the steps any farmer can take to prepare for possible emergency situations and continuation of business.
Women In Conservation: Trees and Woods | Angie Gupta (Johnnies Room)
Learn about the MN Women's Woodland Network. Become acquainted with Extension Forestry's Climate-Ready Woodlands tree and plant lists and Extension resources on invasive species such as buckthorn.
11:20 a.m.
Grants and programs follow-up. OK, now what? | Zachary Paige (Celebration Room)
Now you know the NRCS/FSA/SARE/MDA grants and programs. Tips for finding time in your busy life as a farmer to apply and the how to's of applying. This session runs consecutively and builds on "Making Sense of Grants and Programs".
Animal Health and You | Sabrina Florentino & Karen Johnson (Rox Room)
The role of animal health is a partnership between the farmer and their veterinarian. In recent years, the role of the veterinarian has changed. This presentation will cover at-home vet care kits, how to develop a relationship with a vet, strategies to keep animals healthy, and when to ask for help.
Planning for Life Balance in Farming | Jody Horntvedt & Emily Krekelberg (Bennies Room)
Life balance is so important to our well-being and our ability to perform at our best. This session will invite you to analyze your responsibilities to identify imbalances in the multiple roles you have, and then identify strategies you can use to responsibly manage the many dimensions in your life.
Is a High Tunnel Right for Your Farm? | Natalie Hoidal & Emily Hansen (Johnnies Room)
Minnesota farmers have constructed hundreds of new high tunnels in the past few years. They can be an excellent tool for extending the growing season and protecting crops from unpredictable weather, but they also come with challenges like increased labor and new management considerations. In this session, we'll discuss the pros and cons of building a high tunnel, and resources for getting started.
1:30 p.m.
Let's Not Treat Our Soil Like Dirt | Jodi DeJong-Hughes (Celebration Room)
Soil is one of Earth's most vital and precious resources. It provides the support and nourishment that plants need to grow. In this hands-on session, we will explore soil health and the interconnection between microbial life, organic matter, and soil structure as well as what you can realistically expect from your fields. We’ll look at management options that improve the health and productivity of our soil.
Basics of Taxation and Farm Accounting | Rob Holcomb (Rox Room)
Income tax rules are complicated. This session will give you a basic understanding of how various types of income are taxed, generals on taxation, and what's needed in your farm accounting records.
Selling Your Goods From Your Farm | Ryan Pesch & Amy Johnston (Bennies Room)
Learn the best practices for getting started selling directly to customers such as pricing, merchandising, and promotions. This session will also include a brief overview of food regulations for making and selling value-added food products.
Weathering the Storm: Advice for Navigating Loss on the Farm | Krishona Martinson & Susanne Hinrichs (Johnnies Room)
The top ten things you can do to help you, your family, and your farm if the unthinkable happens. We will discuss the planning that helped one wife live through the loss of her younger farming spouse and how planning helped continue their farming operation.