Dakota Farmer

South Dakota State University hosts programming for the next generation of land seekers.

August 10, 2022

2 Min Read
Rancer with cattle
LAND ACCESS: Now in its third year, South Dakota State University Extension continues its Farmland for the Next Generation webinar series, helping beginning farmers and ranchers find land for their operations.cstar55/Getty Images

For young farmers and ranchers starting out, finding available land for production might be one of the biggest hurdles. According to the USDA 2017 Ag Census, about 30% of South Dakota farmers and ranchers are 65 years of age or older. Also, 1 in 4 producers is a beginning farmer with 10 or fewer years of experience. Due to the challenge of finding farmland, new producers often tend to smaller-than-average operations, in terms of both acres and value of production. South Dakota State University Extension’s webinar series is here to help.

“Whether renting or purchasing, securing access to farmland continues to be a major barrier for newcomers, and is preventing a generation of growers and producers from entering the industry,” said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension livestock business management field specialist.

Following a widely attended 2020 and 2021 workshop series on these issues, a third year of the program will be held for individuals with some farming or ranching experience who are actively looking for land.

The eight-week Farmland for the Next Generation Program will kick off Sept. 1 and run every Thursday through Oct. 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Online format

The workshop series will be held in an interactive webinar format that includes discussions, worksheets and ongoing evaluation of each participant’s current situation. Topics covered throughout the program will include:

  • introduction to land tenure

  • financial readiness

  • land tenure options

  • finding land

  • land assessment

  • leasing land

  • purchasing land

  • succession planning

“This program is hands-on, so participants will go out and apply what they learn during these sessions and then report back throughout the series,” Gessner said.

Gessner was one of the 25 experienced ag educators and service providers across the country in the inaugural class of Land Access Trainers. She is presenting the series as components of the American Farmland Trust's Farmland for the Next Generation project.

Registration

Registration cost is $50 for two individuals. Those interested in participating should register by Aug. 25 on the SDSU Extension Events webpage.

The Farmland for the Next Generation Program is supported by a grant from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

For more information, contact Gessner at [email protected] or 605-782-3290.

Source: South Dakota State University, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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