By Allison Sandve
University of Minnesota Extension
Due to high demand, University of Minnesota Extension and the Farm Service Agency will offer seven educational seminars to help crops producers choose options necessitated by the 2014 Farm Bill programs.
In addition, online instruction is available to guide both crops producers and landowners through decision-making required by the new farm bill. Visit http://farmbill.umn.edu/ for videos and printable materials.
Registration is not required. Newly added programs, and phone contacts for more information, are:
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Jan. 27, Freeport Community Center, 307 Seventh St. SE, Freeport, (320) 836-2526
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Jan. 28, Southwest Minnesota State University (upper ballroom, conference center), Marshall, 1501 State St., Marshall, (507) 537-7110
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 3, Courtyard Marriott, 901 Raintree Road, Mankato, (507) 388-1234
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 4, Rochester International Event Center, 7333 Airport View Dr. SW, Rochester, (507) 529-0033
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 4, Bede Ballroom (second floor, Sargeant Student Center), University of Minnesota Crookston, (218) 281-6510
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 5, Bigwood Event Center, Fergus Falls, (218) 739-2211
- 1 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 5, University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, 1890 Buford Ave., St. Paul, (612) 624-3275
Crop producers have until March 31, 2015 to make decisions required by the farm bill, including the choice among three new risk management programs. They will be locked into a decision that lasts five years. Landowners have until Feb. 27, to complete the base reallocation and yield updates.
"We've presented 73 education sessions to more than 12,000 Minnesota crop farmers. Decisions farmers make to participate in the new farm bill programs are the most complex we've seen to date. Through these programs and our online education, our goal is to equip Minnesota's farming community as thoroughly as possible," said Bob Craven, Extension agriculture economist and program leader for agricultural business management.
The farm bill repeals several previous programs, including direct payments for most crops. It covers the following crops grown in Minnesota: corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, canola, sunflowers, oats, sorghum, lentils, dry peas, garbanzo beans and flax.
The farm bill designates the extension arm of land-grant universities nationwide as the education provider for producers.
Source:unl.edu