In December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

• Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
• Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

n December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate. 
 
Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

• Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
• Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here. 

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

Join the the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) for the Minnesota Neonic Forum on Jan. 15, a free, one-day event. The forum will explore the science and practice behind neonicotinoid (“neonic”) use across Minnesota. Hear from researchers, farmers and local seed company experts as they share some of the latest findings on neonic effectiveness trials, environmental impacts, and emerging lessons about farmer tools for targeted neonic use from Cornell University.

This event offers a unique opportunity for respectful, research-informed dialogue about neonic use in agriculture.

Location: In person at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center. Note: a non-interactive webinar streaming of the event is available, though online registration is still required to access the live video.

For more information please see the attached event flyer for details about the 2026 MN Neonic Forum. For additional questions, contact Kathy Draeger, RSDP statewide director, at draeg001@umn.edu or Danielle Piraino, RSDP outreach specialist at pirai006@umn.edu.

Register here 

On Tuesday, January 27 join Land Stewardship Project for our signature winter workshop. This year’s theme is “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets”.

The workshop will be held from 9am to 3pm at the Rochester International Event Center (73333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester, MN 55902).  Our featured keynote speaker is Martin Larsen, a farmer who is a founding member of the “Oat Mafia” in south-central Minnesota.  In the morning session, Martin will highlight the challenges and opportunities facing all farmers as they look beyond export load-out at the elevator and instead look to recreate the local markets that once served our farmers and consumers.  He will share his journey establishing food grade oats and founding the “oat mafia” and the agronomic, economic, and market impacts it has made for his farm.

After the keynote, attendees will have the option to choose two of three breakout sessions with local experts:

Session 1: Economics of Diversifying Your Rotations
Session 2: Marketing Your Alternative Crops
Session 3: Derisking Diversifying Your Rotations

Breakfast and a catered lunch will be provided.  

For details and to register, click here.
 
You may also contact event organizer Shea-Lynn Ramthun at 651-301-1897 or slramthun@landstewardshipproject.org. 

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

• Family and business goals
• Job responsibilities
• Financial needs of farms and families
• Inheritance considerations
• Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/jxm-nrix-qwe

Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

Are you a crop producer interested in integrating small grains into your rotation as a way to build resiliency in the face of increasingly extreme weather, volatile markets, and a sometimes-overwhelming workload? The Land Stewardship Project (LSP), in collaboration with U of M Extension, is offering a free “Rotating into Resiliency” winter workshop series during the first three Thursdays of February (Feb. 5, 12, and 19, from noon to 2 p.m.)  that will help participants navigate the agronomic, economic, managerial, and environmental challenges of diversifying their operations. The series will consist of three sessions that will be offered in a hybrid format — there will be an option to participate in-person at LSP’s offices in Montevideo and Lewiston, Minn., as well as online. Lunch will be provided at the in-person venues.

The sessions will feature panel discussions involving farmers and others who have extensive experience in the areas of marketing, financial management, diverse crop production, managing extreme climate conditions, and goal setting/planning. Participants will also have a chance to problem solve, discuss issues, and share ideas with fellow cohort members. Each participant will have an opportunity to develop a resiliency-based, diversified cropping plan that they can implement during the 2026 growing season. 

Participation in the “Rotating into Resiliency” cohort is free. For more information and to register, click here.

The Organic Apple Orchard Academy is a virtual event hosted by the IPM Institute of North America and the Organic Fruit Growers Association. The Academy series — February 9, 11, 16, and 18 — will teach proven methods with insights on everything from site selection and disease-resistant varieties to bio-intensive pest management, efficient harvest strategies and savvy marketing for fresh and value-added products.

You can secure your spot today for just $300, or only $275 for Organic Fruit Growers Association members.

Schedule: 

Day 1: Startup and orchard design focus on variety and rootstock, site prep, irrigation, and trellis/tree support considerations.

Day 2: Pest Management presentation on scouting, pesticide safety, pests of concern in organic orchards, cost and other factors including additional resources.

Day 3: Horticultural practices, harvest and labor instruction on planting trees, orchard floor management and thinning; harvest and post-harvest management and grower experiences with hired labor.

Day 4: Marketing and overall summary teaches many aspects of marketing fresh and value-added products with final thoughts from experienced growers and additional resources. 

Three experienced farmer-presenters will lead the class and will share detailed, practical, real-world knowledge that’s not readily available from internet and print resources. This course requires some basic understanding of growing apples; pre-course reading, homework and handouts included with the course.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

The Organic Apple Orchard Academy is a virtual event hosted by the IPM Institute of North America and the Organic Fruit Growers Association. The Academy series — February 9, 11, 16, and 18 — will teach proven methods with insights on everything from site selection and disease-resistant varieties to bio-intensive pest management, efficient harvest strategies and savvy marketing for fresh and value-added products.

You can secure your spot today for just $300, or only $275 for Organic Fruit Growers Association members.

Schedule: 

Day 1: Startup and orchard design focus on variety and rootstock, site prep, irrigation, and trellis/tree support considerations.

Day 2: Pest Management presentation on scouting, pesticide safety, pests of concern in organic orchards, cost and other factors including additional resources.

Day 3: Horticultural practices, harvest and labor instruction on planting trees, orchard floor management and thinning; harvest and post-harvest management and grower experiences with hired labor.

Day 4: Marketing and overall summary teaches many aspects of marketing fresh and value-added products with final thoughts from experienced growers and additional resources. 

Three experienced farmer-presenters will lead the class and will share detailed, practical, real-world knowledge that’s not readily available from internet and print resources. This course requires some basic understanding of growing apples; pre-course reading, homework and handouts included with the course.

For details and to register, click here. 

Are you a crop producer interested in integrating small grains into your rotation as a way to build resiliency in the face of increasingly extreme weather, volatile markets, and a sometimes-overwhelming workload? The Land Stewardship Project (LSP), in collaboration with U of M Extension, is offering a free “Rotating into Resiliency” winter workshop series during the first three Thursdays of February (Feb. 5, 12, and 19, from noon to 2 p.m.)  that will help participants navigate the agronomic, economic, managerial, and environmental challenges of diversifying their operations. The series will consist of three sessions that will be offered in a hybrid format — there will be an option to participate in-person at LSP’s offices in Montevideo and Lewiston, Minn., as well as online. Lunch will be provided at the in-person venues.

The sessions will feature panel discussions involving farmers and others who have extensive experience in the areas of marketing, financial management, diverse crop production, managing extreme climate conditions, and goal setting/planning. Participants will also have a chance to problem solve, discuss issues, and share ideas with fellow cohort members. Each participant will have an opportunity to develop a resiliency-based, diversified cropping plan that they can implement during the 2026 growing season. 

Participation in the “Rotating into Resiliency” cohort is free. For more information and to register, click here.

The Organic Apple Orchard Academy is a virtual event hosted by the IPM Institute of North America and the Organic Fruit Growers Association. The Academy series — February 9, 11, 16, and 18 — will teach proven methods with insights on everything from site selection and disease-resistant varieties to bio-intensive pest management, efficient harvest strategies and savvy marketing for fresh and value-added products.

You can secure your spot today for just $300, or only $275 for Organic Fruit Growers Association members.

Schedule: 

Day 1: Startup and orchard design focus on variety and rootstock, site prep, irrigation, and trellis/tree support considerations.

Day 2: Pest Management presentation on scouting, pesticide safety, pests of concern in organic orchards, cost and other factors including additional resources.

Day 3: Horticultural practices, harvest and labor instruction on planting trees, orchard floor management and thinning; harvest and post-harvest management and grower experiences with hired labor.

Day 4: Marketing and overall summary teaches many aspects of marketing fresh and value-added products with final thoughts from experienced growers and additional resources. 

Three experienced farmer-presenters will lead the class and will share detailed, practical, real-world knowledge that’s not readily available from internet and print resources. This course requires some basic understanding of growing apples; pre-course reading, homework and handouts included with the course.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

Join the University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, for the first annual Grain Gathering, a farmer-focused event spotlighting food-grade oats and the role of small grains in resilient, profitable crop rotations. 

Topics to be covered:

• Farmer panel with local producers
• Soil health benefits of crop diversity
• Economics of a three-crop rotation
• Updates from the Olmsted SWCD groundwater protection program
• Identifying key oat growth stages
• Oat variety trial results and agronomic recommendations

 For details and to register, click here.
 

The Organic Apple Orchard Academy is a virtual event hosted by the IPM Institute of North America and the Organic Fruit Growers Association. The Academy series — February 9, 11, 16, and 18 — will teach proven methods with insights on everything from site selection and disease-resistant varieties to bio-intensive pest management, efficient harvest strategies and savvy marketing for fresh and value-added products.

You can secure your spot today for just $300, or only $275 for Organic Fruit Growers Association members.

Schedule: 

Day 1: Startup and orchard design focus on variety and rootstock, site prep, irrigation, and trellis/tree support considerations.

Day 2: Pest Management presentation on scouting, pesticide safety, pests of concern in organic orchards, cost and other factors including additional resources.

Day 3: Horticultural practices, harvest and labor instruction on planting trees, orchard floor management and thinning; harvest and post-harvest management and grower experiences with hired labor.

Day 4: Marketing and overall summary teaches many aspects of marketing fresh and value-added products with final thoughts from experienced growers and additional resources. 

Three experienced farmer-presenters will lead the class and will share detailed, practical, real-world knowledge that’s not readily available from internet and print resources. This course requires some basic understanding of growing apples; pre-course reading, homework and handouts included with the course.

For details and to register, click here. 

Are you a crop producer interested in integrating small grains into your rotation as a way to build resiliency in the face of increasingly extreme weather, volatile markets, and a sometimes-overwhelming workload? The Land Stewardship Project (LSP), in collaboration with U of M Extension, is offering a free “Rotating into Resiliency” winter workshop series during the first three Thursdays of February (Feb. 5, 12, and 19, from noon to 2 p.m.)  that will help participants navigate the agronomic, economic, managerial, and environmental challenges of diversifying their operations. The series will consist of three sessions that will be offered in a hybrid format — there will be an option to participate in-person at LSP’s offices in Montevideo and Lewiston, Minn., as well as online. Lunch will be provided at the in-person venues.

The sessions will feature panel discussions involving farmers and others who have extensive experience in the areas of marketing, financial management, diverse crop production, managing extreme climate conditions, and goal setting/planning. Participants will also have a chance to problem solve, discuss issues, and share ideas with fellow cohort members. Each participant will have an opportunity to develop a resiliency-based, diversified cropping plan that they can implement during the 2026 growing season. 

Participation in the “Rotating into Resiliency” cohort is free. For more information and to register, click here.

Climate change is making our farms and our farm planning more unpredictable. It is becoming increasingly important to address climate change in our farm management and decision-making. This winter, join the Land Stewardship Project and U of M Extension for a two-day training series intended for specialty crop growers.     
Through this series, participants will:  

• Learn more about the potential impacts of increasing climate variability and change on your agricultural operation. 
• Evaluate climate risk management options that best support your farm and family goals by reducing risks and capturing new opportunities associated with changing climate conditions. 
• Make a plan to implement selected climate resilience strategies and evaluate their effectiveness over time.   

This cohort series will give you tools to incorporate climate change considerations into annual operations as well as over the longer-term with an adaptive whole farm management strategy that draws on your experience and expertise as a farmer.   
 
The cohort will meet in person on Friday, February 20th and Saturday, February 21st in the Twin Cities.  Each day we will meet from 10am-3pm.  Lunch will be included.  The location will be determined in the near future.   
 
We are targeting specialty crop growers (vegetables, cut flowers, fruits, etc.) with 2+ years of farming experience for this training. There are a limited number of spaces available, so sign-up early by filling out this online form.

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

• Family and business goals
• Job responsibilities
• Financial needs of farms and families
• Inheritance considerations
• Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

The Western Minnesota Food Forum brings together local food advocates to listen, learn, and coordinate around local food market opportunities in the region. The Land Stewardship Project is excited to gather again to build a vision for our region’s food system on Monday, Feb. 23, in Morris, Minn. 

Last year’s meeting included producer-buyer matchmaking and input on policies to shape and fund farm to school and regional food coordinators. We plan to create similar opportunities (and more!) at this year’s event. Save the date on your calendar and keep an eye out for a registration link coming soon.

Monday, February 23
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota-Morris
Oyate Hall, 600 E. 4th St., Morris, MN 56267

Stay tuned for more information, agenda and list of speakers.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact LSP’s Scott DeMuth at sdemuth@landstewardshipproject.org.

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/xxp-mezk-emp

Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/xwt-drxq-zsz

Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

Beginning or aspiring farmers are invited to RSVP for the Land Stewardship Project’s 2026 Land Access: Are You Ready? workshop scheduled for Saturday, March 7, in Minneapolis. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m, but participants are encouraged to stop by at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and informal conversation.

This workshop is designed with the understanding that accessing land is one of the most complex decisions a farmer will make. If you are a new or aspiring farmer, this workshop will help you with strategies and tools to approach your land access journey with confidence. You’ll engage in participatory activities as well as hear directly from farmers about the creative land access methods they have used to secure land tenure.

What this workshop consists of: 

• Strategies, tools, and participatory activities to get you started on your land access journey
• A chance to hear directly from local farmers about the creative land access methods they have used to secure land tenure
• There will be resource professionals on-hand to provide guidance and understanding about financing options, easements, and soils, to name a few topics. 
• Finally, you’ll be equipped with additional resources and programs to help you plan for, find, and afford farmland.

 For more information, contact LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.

Feel free to forward this information to any other people you feel may benefit from this course.

 FEE: $35/ person; $50/ farm (2-3 people); includes materials and lunch.

For more information and to register, click here.

The Land Stewardship Project’s long-running course for farmers and other landowners looking to transition their agricultural operations to the next generation is expanding into South Dakota in 2026. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) Winter Farm Transition Planning Course, which enters its 10^th session in 2026, provides a holistic opportunity to dig into important topics and learn from experienced farmers and professionals about the options that farmers and landowners have when looking to pass their farm on.

The standard Zoom online LSP course will be held on seven Tuesday evenings starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The sessions build on one another, so attendance at all sessions ensures the greatest understanding and planning opportunities. The course fee is $250 per family, and registration is open through Jan. 9 at https://landstewardshipproject.org/transition2026.

New this year is an expanded course offering for South Dakota attendees as part of a partnership LSP has formed with Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival.

The South Dakota course, led by Dakota Rural Action and Rural Revival and using the LSP curriculum, includes seven weekly in-person sessions, with a full-day Saturday kick-off session, and another full-day session to close the training. Sessions two through six will take place on Tuesday evenings for two-and-a-half hours. The dates are: Jan. 31, Feb. 3, Feb. 10,  Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 14. As with the fully online course, the course fee is $250 per family, and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register for the South Dakota course, visit https://qrco.de/farmtransitions2026.

Presenters at both workshops will include other area farmers who are implementing farm transition plans, as well as professionals representing the legal and financial fields as they relate to agricultural businesses. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to begin engaging in the planning process as well as to learn about resources for continuing the process after the workshop has ended.

Join U of M Extension for hands-on planning and discussion on farm transition for the whole farm family. All generations actively involved in the farm should attend the retreat together, including spouses, partners and other relevant parties.

The farm transition program helps farm families dive deeper into conversations about:

• Family and business goals
• Job responsibilities
• Financial needs of farms and families
• Inheritance considerations
• Mechanisms of transfer

For details and to register, click here. 

• Are you a farm family or landowner thinking about the future or next steps for your farm?
• Are you interested in planning for the next generation of farmers on your land?
• Do you have a spouse/partner helping to make these decisions? Are you both on the same page?
• Are you ready to begin the planning process but don’t know where to start?

For the first time, Rural Revival is hosting a holistic Farm Transition Planning Course in collaboration with The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) and Dakota Rural Action (DRA). This opportunity is coordinated alongside the land transition course that LSP has provided for Minnesota farmers over the past 9 years. The course includes seven weekly sessions, with a full day Saturday to kick off, and again to close the training. Sessions 2-6 will take place on Tuesday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. Sessions will bring professionals, farmers and LSP/DRA staff together to dig into values and goals, communications, generational, financial, legal, and long-term care considerations. The sessions build on each other and it is important to plan on attending all of them. The sessions will include participatory activities and there will be work families are encouraged to complete outside of the gathered course time.

The topics, dates, and times for the course are:

• Saturday, Jan 31st: Goal Setting for LIfe & Land, 10:00am-4:00pm
• Tues. Feb 3: Values and Why Farm Transition Planning is Needed, 5:30pm-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 10: Financial Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 17: Legal Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. Feb 24: Working with the Next Generation Farmers, 5:30-8:00pm
• Tues. March 3: Long Term Care Considerations, 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday, March 14: Resources and Planning Next Steps, 10:00am-4:00pm 

The course fee is $250 per family. The registration deadline is January 9. For more information and to register, click here.

For more farm transition resources, click here. For more course information, contact:

• DRA’s Megan EisenVos at megan@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3790
• LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org, 507-458-0349
• Rural Revival Treasurer, Roy Kaufman at lorokauf@gwtc.net

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT

This 10-lesson Wild Farm Alliance virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. 

If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. While many topics and species are specific to the Midwest, most of the principles discussed are applicable across regions. 

Continuing Education Credits have been requested and are expected to be approved from American Society of Agronomy.

For details and to register, click here. 

The Course Schedule:

LESSON 1

Why Birds Belong on the Farm: Biodiversity, Pest Control & A Thriving Landscape

Tuesday, September 23, 2 p.m. CT

LESSON 2

Birds as Pest Control Allies on the Farm

Tuesday, October 14, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 3

Birds in the Balance: Pest Control Services Across Crop Types

Tuesday, November 4, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 4

Integrating Habitat into Croplands: Prairie Strips and Bird Conservation

Tuesday, December 2, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 5

Birds on the Farm: Balancing Biodiversity and Food Safety

Tuesday, January 13, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 6

Beyond the Crop: Birds, Biodiversity, and the Power of Edge Habitat

Tuesday, February 3, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 7

Bridging Forestry, Farming, and Habitat

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 8

Perennial Pathways: Agroforestry for Birds and Biodiversity on Farms

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 9

Birds on the Range: How Grazing Practices Shape Habitat for Grassland Species

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. CT

LESSON 10

Birds at Risk: How Pesticides Shape Safety on Agricultural Lands

Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m. CT