South Dakota Farmers Union invites family farmers and ranchers to the Tri-State Young Producer Conference held in Fargo, N.D. January 10 鈥 11.
鈥淏uilding a career on the family farm or ranch comes with its challenges. Through this conference, we seek to provide young producers with information and resources to help them succeed,鈥 explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union.
Because supporting the next generation of family farmers and ranchers is a focus of the state鈥檚 largest agriculture organization, South Dakota Farmers Union will cover lodging and meals for members. The event is only $50 for non-members.
Information to support your family and ag operation
When planning the 2025 event, Jessica Haak relied on feedback from the young producers who attended the 2024 and 2023 conferences.
鈥淧articipants appreciated the ag marketing and estate planning information and asked for more,鈥 explained Haak, the Membership Director for North Dakota Farmers Union.
Building on information covered during previous conferences, speaker line-up includes:
路聽Ag Marketing – Frayne Olson, Professor/Crops Economist, North Dakota State University
路Transition & Estate Planning – Devon Liljenquist, Attorney and estate planning expert
路聽Strengthen Relationships Through Communications – John Beranek, Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Coach, Strategist and owner Intersections Consulting
After attending the 2024 Conference in Oklahoma with her husband, Travis, Dewey County rancher Mercedes Spiel said the speakers were relevant and she and Travis were able to use the information they gained.
鈥淭he workshops are helpful,鈥 Spiel said. 鈥淲ith the uncertainty of today鈥檚 markets, it is always good to have other market options for selling farm and ranch commodities. And estate planning is essential because you never know what tomorrow will bring.鈥
The two-day conference is designed so that attendees have plenty of time to get to know other young producers as well. 鈥淲e made lifelong friends during the conference,鈥 Spiel said. 鈥淲e enjoyed hearing how other producers run their operations and noticing the similarities or differences from ours. No matter how big or small, we all share the same values and hardships.鈥
In addition to speakers, conference attendees will also have the opportunity to tour Grand Farm and learn about the initiative created to solve the biggest problems facing agriculture. It started around a community challenge and has transformed into a global leader in AgTech innovation. Learn more at GrandFarm.com.
To sign up for the 2025 Tri-State Young Producer Conference, e-mail聽sdfu@sdfu.org. Registration deadline is December 16.
