Managing a farm

We research and report on the financial performance of Minnesota farms and provide tools to farmers and ag professionals that support the future of agriculture. Our goal is to build on the profitability and success already achieved by Minnesota’s agricultural industry and help small farm owners succeed as stewards of the land.

Features

The 2025 Women in Ag Conference will be held on Feb. 11 in St. Cloud.

Negotiating farmland rent

Negotiating farmland rent can be a crucial step in securing a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. Whether you're a landowner looking to lease your land or a farmer seeking to rent land, effective negotiation can help you achieve your goals.

Farmland rental workshops

Wondering what is acceptable to charge or pay for land rent in Minnesota? Farmland rental workshops are held to help farmers, landlords, and professionals determine a fair farmland rental rate.

Harvesting what you learned in 2024

An end-of-year reflection about the growing season will prove helpful as you set overall goals and make management decisions for next year.

Business

Farm bill

Crop programs and Dairy Margin Coverage

Farm finance

For crop insurance, crop production and dairy

Farmland rent and economics

Rental rates and land values by county, flexible land rental agreements

Farm tax and legal

Tax and legal impacts for various situations

Marketing farm products

Marketing, recordkeeping and hiring

Transfer and estate planning

Passing the farm business and other assets to the next generation

Women in Ag Network

Leadership, management and agricultural production education and opportunities for women

Farming systems

Agroforestry

Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry practices to improve environmental quality, productivity and economic returns.

Small farms

Information on running a one- to 40-acre farm

Get help

Farmer-Lender Mediation

Need help with farm debt? Learn how mediation can help.

Resources for difficult times

Find help, counseling, advocacy, legal and referral resources

Coping with rural stress

Extension's rural stress task force provides rural Minnesota families and communities with education and resources to help weather difficult times.

Safety

Farm safety

Stress management, extreme weather, equipment, livestock

Growing safe food

On-farm food safety, GAPs audits, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

News

January 22, 2025

Changes to the major food allergens

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes to the labeling requirements for tree nuts, milk, and eggs aim to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

January 8, 2025

What sets top ag producers apart?

Consistent efforts in efficiency, financial management, planning and communication enable top producers to weather challenges and thrive over the long term.

January 6, 2025

2025: the year of pickled foods and flavors

Pickled beets, pears and cake(!), kimchi, and flavored vinegar are on top of some cottage foods menus this year. You can make them safely by following standard recipes and testing pH.