ORANGE CITY, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites beginning farmers from Northwest Iowa to attend a gathering at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office in Orange City on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Following a COVID-19 hiatus, this is the first beginning farmer gathering to be held since 2019. The gathering is open to any farmers/ranchers, livestock producers or ag industry professionals who predominantly categorize themselves as “beginning,” or ag stakeholders who are looking for objective, research-based educational topics related to the continuing landscape changes in production ag.
“Our Beginning Farmer Gatherings serve several purposes,” said Beth Doran, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “First of all, they are a time for networking and meeting local peers in agriculture. Secondly, they provide an in-person opportunity to meet and learn from Extension specialists and industry experts. And lastly, they are a lot of fun.”
The gatherings always feature time for networking, as well as an education component. Sometimes the group also goes on tours.
On Dec. 14, the focus will be on negotiation skills, featuring Dennis Reyman from Stalcup Ag Services, Inc.as the keynote speaker. ISU Extension and Outreach agriculture specialists will also be on hand to introduce themselves and answer questions, and time will be spent providing a Northwest Iowa Beginning Farmer Group overview, vision, and schedule moving into 2022.
There is no charge to attend this gathering, but preregistration is required to adequately plan for materials, space, and the complimentary supper. Preregister online at https://tinyurl.com/87eravk3 or call the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office at 712-737-4230.
Click the link for a flyer: NW IA Beginning Farmer Meeting Invite – Dec. 2021
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach