Compeer Financial to Host 2019 Resilient Farms Conference

Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the 2019 Resilient Farms Conference, a one day event for farmers interested in increasing resiliency for their operations through new business ideas.

The conference is Thursday, December 12 at the Kalahari Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells and is being held in partnership with University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. The event will also be livestreamed at Compeer offices in Normal, Ill. and Mankato, Minn.

Along with keynote speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than two dozen sessions to gather information, resources and tools to help in exploring ideas for increased farm revenue and added flexibility. Additionally, more than 20 industry experts, including farmers who have successfully implemented alternative or additional enterprises, will be available for one-on-one consultations and networking.

“The program encourages farmers to look broadly at all of the assets on their farms and think creatively about ways in which they can use those assets to add cash flow,” said Paul Dietmann, senior lending specialist at Compeer Financial. “The Resilient Farms Conference offers a positive, supportive environment to bounce around some ideas and get valuable feedback from people who have navigated challenging times and created success.”

Conference speakers include Tom Arnold, of Arnold’s Farm in Elizabeth, Ill, who began exploring new markets and farm enterprises more than twenty years ago. Arnold will share insights from his experience in how he’s embraced resiliency within his operation. Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons, will speak with attendees on legal resiliency with business structures, insurance and liability, HR management and partnership opportunities.

Pam Jahnke, host of the Mid-West Farm Report, will host the Resilient Farms Conference.

“Resilience is something more of us in agriculture need to think about, what’s the long-term play?” said Jahnke. “This conference is unique in how it pairs producers who have followed their passion and implemented new ideas with producers who are looking for new opportunities to build resiliency and diversify. With opportunities for one-on-one conversations with experts.

Breakout sessions will include topics on value-added dairy, income opportunities from the woods, resiliency in cash crops, leasing options, understanding an individual farm’s unique assets and more. Additionally, sessions will be available for direct marketing, creating a practical commodity marketing plan, succession planning and basic farm financials. View the full agenda.

The 2019 Resilient Farms Conference is Thursday, December 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Additional livestream locations available at Compeer Financial offices in Normal, Ill. and, Mankato, Minn. The registration fee is $20, which includes lunch. To register or for more information, visit compeer.com/resilientfarms. Advance registration requested.