Young Ag Producers Gain Resources & Information While Expanding Network During Tri-State Conference

By Lura Roti

Redfield crop and cattle producer Alan Masat spent most of Monday afternoon in a meeting with his agriculture loan officer. The 2 p.m. meeting came just two days after the 27-year-old farmer attended a weekend workshop where a financial expert outlined ways ag producers can make their debt work for them.

"The timing was pretty great. She stressed the importance of maintaining and building working capital so that you are in the driver's seat," said Masat, who farms with his dad, Don, and brother, Drew.

Providing young producers with resources and access to experts and information is the purpose of the Farmers Union Tri-State Young Producers Conference, explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director of South Dakota Farmers Union and one of the event's organizers.

"Young producers are the future of our industry and our organization," Hofhenke said. "Education is a focus of Farmers Union because for family farmers and ranchers to succeed, they need access to personal and professional development."

Sponsored by Farmers Union organizations from South Dakota, North Dakota and Oklahoma, the Tri-State Conference changes locations and speaker line-ups each year. And each year, Eagle Butte rancher Carleyn Petersen said she and her husband, Cole, have gained information to enhance their family ranch.

This year a presentation focused on Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) captured their attention. "Every time I attend, I learn something new, but this talk really hit home because we have been thinking about signing up for LRP, but we have not done it because we had so many questions," Petersen said. "Because we were there with other cattle producers, we were able to ask them about their experience with LRP - how did it work for them - would they recommend it?"

Connecting with family farmers and ranchers from South Dakota and other states is a highlight, added Wessington Springs cattle producer Christina Karsky.

"It's interesting to see what works for other producers and learn about what they are struggling with. And by visiting, sometimes we are able to help each other out," explained Karsky, who attended the conference with her husband, AJ.

Time away from their ranch together to focus on learning is also a benefit. "It's a perfect time of year. There is a lull in the ranching world because we are not calving yet and harvest is done," Karsky said. "So, it is nice to go together so that we can discuss what we learned, since everyone remembers different bits and pieces."

In addition to presentations on LRP and ag finances, other experts focused on building ag advocacy and communication skills; the history of cooperatives; agriculture policy and more.

Leaving the ranch for a weekend takes a bit of planning. Like most of the young producers who attend, the Petersens have young children and cattle to care for. Petersen said their three children are among the reasons they prioritize the conference each year.

"We work to gain information and try new things to better our operation so that when our kids are old enough to take over, they don't have to struggle as much as we do," Petersen said. "Our family is the reason we work so hard."