Continuing Education for Farmers

If you are at all familiar with the agriculture world you might know that there are always different conferences, field days, or networking events going on. These events can cover so many different topics depending on what sector of the agriculture industry they are involved with. 

Last month I played a large part in orchestrating a big field day my company puts on here at our farm in North Dakota. Our field day along with many others is focused on the different crops that we grow and the kinds of research we are performing on those crops. The way our day was set up we had a lunch for everyone at the beginning then we split the attendees into 5 even groups. The next 5 hours involved a set of 5- 45 minute sessions taught by some of our best salesmen and crop specialists. Then after these sessions we grilled some food, had some drinks, and spent the next several hours networking with everyone. Now our sessions are focused on what we are researching on our farm inside our company and why we choose to work with the crops that we do. All field days are different and it all just depends on what the company is wanting to accomplish. 

Of course there is lots of work that is involved in planning big events like a field day, but the week before seems like it is a crazy non stop scheduling of running around and trying to get everything ready. We started with making each individual research demo plot look squared up and presentable. We mowed, rototilled, and sprayed around each one to make a clean strip for the signs that we put up that display the research. Once the plots were ready we had to put up all the signs around all the research plots. We spent day after day mowing and weed wacking the entire farm. We also had to deep clean our building on the farm because that is where the field day was centered. We also spent lots of time hand pulling weeds in a lot of the bulk wheat plots. (Kochia is our big weed that we can’t seem to kill up here in North Dakota.) Overall the labor side of the prep took about a week and a half, but once we were done it was beyond worth all the work. The day before and day of the event was spent doing lots of last minute prep work. It all made the day go perfectly planned!

Conferences and field days are such fantastic ways to continue learning about everything that is going on in the industry and the new technologies that are involved. Different events like this help you stay competitive and relevant with your operation. In an industry where the number of operations continue to drop so you have to try to stay at the top of your game. A lot of times these are some of the first places that you can and will hear about the new technologies that are sweeping the industry. Weather that be pesticides, herbicides, biologicals, equipment, drones, etc. These events can also help you expand your own skill set and knowledge on topics you may deal with on a day to day basis. 

At the end of the day if you still feel like you didn’t learn anything you have a day to network with professionals and others in the industry who are just as passionate about the same things you are. Networking is also a great way to stay up to date with trends in your industry. It can also give you new opportunities that you may have never thought possible. It is always a good idea to have great relationships with others in your industry because you never know when it could benefit you and your operation. Talking with others could give you a new perspective on topics that you wouldn’t have thought of. Things do happen in more ways than one and you never know if they could help you or if you could help them. Everyone has different thought processes and networking can open you up to those. You are also supporting the business that is organizing the event you are attending, and hey a free meal and maybe some free merchandise never hurts anyone! 

So, whatever your reason, find field days and conferences with topics that you are interested in or already work in. Just keep growing and expanding in any way possible. You won’t regret it! 

Love, 

Kendra