Tri-State Young Producer Conference Event Connects Producers with Ag Marketing & Transition Planning Experts

South Dakota Farmers Union invites family farmers and ranchers to the Tri-State Young Producer Conference held in Fargo, N.D. January 10 – 11.

“Building 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,” 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’s 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.

“Participants appreciated the ag marketing and estate planning information and asked for more,” explained Haak, the Membership Director for North Dakota Farmers Union.

Building on information covered during previous conferences, speaker line-up includes:

• Ag Marketing – Frayne Olson, Professor/Crops Economist, North Dakota State University
• Transition & Estate Planning – Devon Liljenquist, Attorney and estate planning expert
• 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.

“The workshops are helpful,” Spiel said. “With the uncertainty of today’s 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.”

The two-day conference is designed so that attendees have plenty of time to get to know other young producers as well. “We made lifelong friends during the conference,” Spiel said. “We 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.”

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 [email protected]. Registration deadline is December 16.