Returning to the Farm was developed to target next-generation farmers before
they return to the farm. The target audience was students attending four SD
colleges. The proposed activities address farm transition's human and financial
risks through conferences, tours, webinars, and curriculum development.
The students at SD State University (SDSU) overwhelmingly responded to the information.
A symposium was held on campus, and they filled the two offered sections of the
course within a week of the class being offered. They attended, participated in,
and completed the required classes and projects for the class with insightful
conversations and questions.
The students at Mitchell Technical College participated in the Symposium
hosted on their campus. As this was required for their class, there was a good turnout.
However, they also responded positively to the post-symposium survey,
indicating the number of things they learned and would likely take home to
their families was high.
I worked with SDSU Deans to create the required paperwork to create and
release the course on campus. Then, I promoted it through the symposium and academic
advisors in animal science, dairy science, plant science, and ag economics.
Posters were also hung in buildings frequented by students in those
majors. I capped each semester at 30 students and had waiting lists for
each semester following class registration. Due to schedule conflicts with
judging teams and a lab, 55 students completed the coursework. Additionally, 23
students attended the symposium.
To reach the other colleges, I targeted instructors in their agriculture
departments. The Mitchell symposium had 71 attendees.
The project's overarching goal was to encourage students to take an active
role in creating a transition plan for their families. Students in the class
accomplished this by using the Center for Farm Financial Management Transition
Plan program and initiating conversations with their families.