Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference—an event dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and connecting women in agriculture. Tina LeBrun will be there speaking about our Farm Business Management program. ?????? Registration is now open! Join a dynamic community of leaders, innovators, and change-makers as we explore the future of agriculture together. ?? Date: April 9, 2025 ?? Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN ?? Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/gwvrhsja

?? Request for Proposals: Mental Health Support for MN Farmers! ???? We are seeking proposals from qualified providers to offer mental health and outreach support for Minnesota farmers, their families, and agricultural communities. This opportunity includes counseling, farm transition support, mental health education, and collaboration with key agricultural organizations. ?????? Eligible providers must have clinical experience in rural mental health, and a deep understanding of farming stressors. ?? ?? Submit your proposal and help strengthen the mental well-being of our agricultural community! www.regionfive.org/rfp #RFP #MentalHealthMatters #FarmStrong #RuralSupport #MNAg #FarmingLife #CommunityWellness #AgricultureSupport #FarmFamily #MentalHealthAwareness #YouMatter

?? Another Full House at our Farm Succession Retreat! ?? What an incredible weekend at St Cloud Technical and Community College, where we hosted our second Farm Succession Retreat with a record-breaking crowd! The room was filled with great conversations, valuable insights, and a shared commitment to the future of farming. A huge THANK YOU to our expert presenters for making this event such a success: ?? Tina LeBrun ?? Susanne Hinrichs & Nathan Hulinsky (University of Minnesota Extension) ?? Meg Moynihan & Jim Ostlie (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) ?? Kathy Hommerding & Ben Olander (Central Lakes College Farm Business Management instructors) This event wouldn’t be possible without such strong partnerships—thank you to everyone involved! ?? Missed this one? Don’t worry—our next retreat is March 21-22 in Rochester! ?? ? FREE registration: z.umn.edu/FTR25

?? We're Hiring: Farm Business Management Instructor – Specialty Crop Management & Urban Agriculture! ?? Are you passionate about supporting farmers and strengthening local food systems? We’re looking for a Farm Business Management Instructor to provide hands-on financial and business management education to specialty crop and urban growers in Minnesota. ?? Why Join Our Team? ? Work directly with farmers to enhance their financial and business success ? Support diverse producers, including small-scale and urban growers ? Flexible teaching format—combining in-person, online, and classroom instruction ? Play a key role in strengthening Minnesota’s agricultural economy ?? Ideal Candidate Qualifications: ?? Education: Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, or a related field ?? Experience: Agribusiness, accounting, and farm financial management ?? Skills: Strong cross-cultural communication and outreach abilities ?? Tech Proficiency: Comfortable with online learning and accounting software If you’re passionate about education, agriculture, and supporting local food systems, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and be part of a team making a real impact on Minnesota’s farming future. ?? ???Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gDjSHez8

Do you know of someone who loves working with people and educating about transportation related careers? Our friends at the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence are searching for its next Executive Director.

???? Save the Date! ???? We’re thrilled to sponsor the Linder Farm Network Ag Outlook Conference on March 25, 2025, at South Central College in North Mankato! ?? ?? What’s in store? ?? Expert insights from Cory Harguth, Michael Seyfert, Kent Thiesse, John Monson, and Al Kluis – a powerhouse lineup you won’t want to miss! ?? Why attend? ? Gain valuable industry knowledge from top ag leaders ? Connect with fellow ag professionals & growers ? Enjoy a delicious lunch (included!) ??? Cost: $40 per person (includes lunch) ?? Students attend FREE! ?? Don’t miss out! Tag a friend who should join you, and let’s make this a day of learning, networking, and growing together. See you there!

We had a full house at South Central College in North Mankato, and the day was filled with valuable learning, insightful conversations, and connections that will help farm families plan for the future. A huge thank you to our presenters Tina LeBrun, Susanne Hinrichs (University of Minnesota Extension), and Jim Molenaar (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) for sharing their expertise. We also appreciate Meg Moynihan (MDA) and Farm Business Management Instructors Denise Reeser and Brent Roiger for contributing their knowledge and guidance throughout the weekend. Looking forward to the next ones in St. Cloud on March 7th and 8th and in Rochester on March 21st and 22nd! Registration is free and available at z.umn.edu/FTR25. #FarmSuccession #AgLegacy #FarmFuture

Tina and Keith are back at the Capitol testifying in St. Paul along with Ted and Monica, championing the incredible work of Rural Mental Health Specialists! Their support is vital for the well-being of our rural communities across Minnesota. Huge thanks to Ted Matthews and Monica McConkey for their dedication and impact!

This afternoon, Keith Olander and Tina LeBrun testified for the Senate Agriculture Committee advocating for the Farm Business Management program, the purpose it serves as well as value it brings. As farmers ourselves, we're passionate about this program and its success as well as the value that it brings to students. You can see our testimonies starting at the 1:30:41 mark in the link below. Thanks also to FBM instructor Zach Rada for testifying as well as the support from MFU and MNFBF. This is a partnership and collaboration amongst many and we appreciate that! https://lnkd.in/gJAgtkzx Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Minnesota West Community and Technical College Minnesota Farmers Union Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC)

Time is running out! ? The State of Ag survey closes this Friday, February 7. Your insights help shape the State of Ag Report that is used by businesses, policymakers, and industry leaders to make informed decisions that impact Minnesota's food & ag industries. If you work in agriculture or in a related industry such as information technology, energy, education, logistics, or manufacturing, we want to hear from you. The survey takes just 10 to 15 minutes, share your voice today: https://lnkd.in/g72dTDiV