NOTICE: This event has been canceled due to weather.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — As the farm financial crisis deepens in our rural communities, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is offering a special “Farmer Resiliency: Empowerment During Financially Stressful Times” workshop* Thursday, Feb. 7, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester (1503 2nd Ave. NE). The event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated for planning purposes. To reserve a spot or for more information, contact LSP’s Karen Stettler at 507-523-3366 or stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.

For this workshop, LSP is bringing together a resource panel to address topics farmers are currently facing: financial difficulties and how to deal with them; farmers’ rights; who is out there to help; and the organizations, publications and programs that are available. Farmers Martin Larsen and Mary Jore will share their experiences farming during stressful times and what they have learned in the process. Additional panelists include Jack LaValla of Farm Business Management at Riverland Community College, Tim Gossman of Merchants Bank in St. Charles, Stephen Carpenter of Farmers’ Legal Action Group, and Connie Dykes of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Farm Advocates program.

Each of the panelists will bring relevant information and advice for farm families who are making important short- and long-term decisions. After the panel and a Q & A, there will be light refreshments and time for attendees to network with the panelists and other participants.

“It is important for farmers to know that they are not alone and they don’t have to try to solve all of the problems alone,” said Dykes. “There are people they can talk to for help and I just want more people to know about what exists.”

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*This workshop is partially funded by USDA, Risk Management Agency under award number RM18RMEPP522CO40.