Events And Resources
Listed below are a number of events and resources that would be of general interest to people in the Farm Business Management program. The events come from a variety of resources.
If you are looking for resources related to farm transition, please visit our new webpage dedicated to this topic. You can view it at Farm Transition.
Upcoming Events:
Multi-Generational Farm Transition Retreats
Join us for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and/ or other relevant parties. Pick the location most convenient for your family.
Attend to dive deeper into conversations about: family and business goals, job responsibilities, financial needs of farms and families, inheritance considerations, and mechanisms of transfer.
View our Farm Transition page to learn more info about these retreats.
Farmland Rent Workshops Coming for Fall 2026
The University of Minnesota Extension (Nathan Hulinsky) will present land rent meetings around the state. Topics covered at the meetings include local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends, current farmland values and sales, and a worksheet that will help determine a fair rental agreement. Input costs will be presented along with current corn and soybean prices. Meetings for for late 2026 haven’t been set yet, but stay tuned for more details once they are announced. You can still find information on this topic at https://extension.umn.edu/business/farmland-rent-and-economics.
Grants and Scholarships:
Grants Available to Improve Safety on Minnesota Farms
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for two farm safety programs: the Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant and the Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program.
The Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant helps farmers purchase and install safety equipment for on-farm grain bins and silos, including fall protection systems, auger safeguards, dust control systems, air quality monitoring equipment, and other approved safety enhancements. The program reimburses up to 75% of eligible costs, with funding up to $400 per bin or silo and a maximum of $2,400 per farm per year.
The ROPS Rebate Program helps farmers retrofit older tractors with rollover protection systems and seatbelts, which are highly effective in preventing serious injury and death during tractor rollovers. Applications are being accepted through June 30, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and to apply, visit the MDA’s Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant and Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program webpages.
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Scholarship
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) Farm Business Management Scholarship provides scholarships to water quality certified producers to learn business management strategies that will lead to profitable and competitive farming operations. The scholarship form is found here.
Scholarship Policy A study shows that farmers enrolled in MAWQCP had higher profits than non-cerified farms. Specifically, the 64 MAWQCP farms in the study saw 2020 profits that were an average of $40,000 or 18% higher (median of $11,000) than non-certified farms. The 2019 data showed an average of $19,000 or 20% (median of $7,000) in higher profits for certified producers. Other key financial metrics are also better for those enrolled in the MAWQCP, such as debt-to-asset ratios and operating expense ratios. These two years of data serve as an early indicator of a positive return on investment for the whole-farm conservation management farmers implement in order to become certified.
Cover Crop Scholarship Program
Are you a MN farmer growing cover crops? You can receive a $100-$150/credit scholarship to participate in Minnesota Farm Business Management.
Other Resources:
Minnesota West Farm Business Management Podcasts
Farm Business Management instructors at Minnesota West Community and Technical College are putting together bi-weekly podcasts about topics of interests to farmers.
In this series of four interactive 45-minute sessions, you’ll develop insights and skills to help you recognize, understand and support farm youth experiencing stress. These online sessions are an adaptation of a three-hour workshop we offered at several Minnesota locations in 2019. Whether the content is new to you or you simply want a refresher, we hope you’ll participate and will share the opportunity with friends and colleagues.
- Day 1 – Factors and Expression: Stress in Farm Youth
- Day 2 – Impact of Farm Stress and Trauma on Adolescent Development
- Day 3 – Building Intentional Relationships with Farm Youth
- Day 4 – Building Community Initiatives to Support Farm Youth (start about 2 minutes in; there was an audio hiccup at beginning)
Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Training
Youth tractor and farm safety training teaches youth 14 years and older about safe equipment operation and general farm safety. This program is offered each summer at multiple training locations across the state. The cost of the training is $40 per student. Students who complete the program are eligible to receive a U.S. Department of Labor certificate of training. This certificate is required for 14- and 15-year-olds who wish to work on farms as employees. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/youth-tractor-and-farm-safety-training for more details.
FairRent
This is a free online tool to help farmers evaluate land rental decision, including cash, share, and flexible rental agreements. Both new and current users can now enjoy an updated user experience featuring an enhanced user interface and newly designed website. Visit FairRent.umn.edu.