Nov. 8 Symposium to Focus on Resources for Young, Beginning and Small Farmers

Tractor in field
Corn is harvested southeast of Lincoln Monday morning. Sept. 24, 2021. Photo by Craig Chandler

Nov. 8 Symposium to Focus on Resources for Young, Beginning and Small Farmers

An event for young, beginning and small farmers — as well as anyone interested in learning more about getting into farming — is scheduled to take place on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Symposium will take place in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Monday, Nov. 1. Lunch and parking will be provided. 

Farming has never been an easy industry to break into, and there are still many barriers, from the cost of land and equipment, to the huge economic risk of trying new crops or management practices that aren’t guaranteed to work,” said Mike Boehm, NU Vice President and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Ultimately, we want to grow Nebraska’s already robust ecosystem of successful, innovative farmers and give the next generation of farmers the tools they need to continue our state’s agricultural legacy.”  

The event will be structured as a series of panel discussions. Audience members will hear from farmers who are getting started in both traditional and non-traditional operations. They’ll also hear about financial and risk management resources available to farmers as they grow their operations.  

Panel topics and participants are:  

  • Young, Beginning and Small Farmers in Traditional Operations: Aspirations vs. Realities. Panelists include farmers Zemua Baptisa, Beatrice; Joe Knobbe, Wisner; Lance Atwater, Adams County; Haley Miles, Ainsworth. 
  • Young, Beginning and Small Farmers in Non-Traditional Operations: Aspirations vs. Realities. Panelists include farmers Becky Schwarz, Bertrand; Grant Jones, Imperial; Greg Fripp, Omaha. 
  • Stretching Resources for the Farm of the Future: Existing Programs. Panelists are Brandy Balzer, Farm Credit Services of American/Frontier Farm Credit; Tom Kelly, Western Bank, Sutherland; Steve Cleveland, Homestead Bank, Chadron; Ben Herink, USDA Farm Service Agency.
  • Stretching Resources for the Farm of the Future: Innovative Approaches. Panelists are Gary Matteson, Farm Credit Council; Ted Hibbeler, Nebraska Extension; Larry Van Tassell, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability/Department of Agricultural Economics; Allan Vyhnalek, UNL Department of Agricultural Economics.  

All panels will be moderated by Glen Smith, chairman of the Farm Credit Administration, and Mike Boehm, NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  

The event is sponsored by The Farm Credit Administration, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information or to register, visit IANR.

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