The Minnesota Beginning Farmer Institute uses an interactive approach to learning about farm management for farmers at the beginning of their farming careers or anyone needing an ag business management refresher.
Agriculture
![A maroon mailbox that says "Gophers" and has the U of M logo on a family farm.](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/U-of-M-mailbox.jpg?h=5bcd39c6&itok=Fgr85BJk)
Eighty-five farm families and operations will be honored in August by the University of Minnesota at the 2022 Farm Family of the Year ceremony.
The University of Minnesota horticulture team can help fruit and vegetable farmers get answers to questions and figure out issues.
![people working on gardening between two large greenhouses](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/4DD%20garden%20training.jpg?h=0a2bdf31&itok=tTrUU9is)
How are partners in the Northwest region working to advance sustainability? We spoke with Sharon James to learn more about her work at 4-Directions Development and how entrepreneurship, food sovereignty and partnership are core ways the Red Lake Nation is strengthening its local economy and community.
![Laura Frerichs picks lettuce with tomatoes growing behind her](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Loon%20Organics-183%202.jpg?h=52a54acc&itok=3DKAUP8G)
Laura Frerichs of Loon Organics Farm in Hutchinson helps Extension spread understanding of food safety rules.
![Portrait of Erin Cortus](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/Erin-Cortus_0.jpg?h=5c58f871&itok=hFxEQecL)
Erin Cortus is working with livestock farmers to build an understanding of the environmental footprint of operations and develops tool to help producers and communities make decisions.
![Field of rye crop](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/d1507-11%20cover%20crop%20rye%20Photo%20by%20Stephen%20Ausmus%20USDA%20ARS.jpg?h=3b1a70d6&itok=ArkjLmE5)
In a tough year for crops, Minnesota farmers are turning to cover crops with the help of Extension educators.
![Pumpkins on a table with people in the background](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/pumpkins-and-people.jpg?h=dd0a99b9&itok=WGZEgWkX)
Growing fruits and vegetables is how many new and younger farmers get started farming. But gaining the knowledge can be tough for growers of a crop like pumpkins, for which there have never been research trials in Minnesota. Until now.
![cow](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/cow-agreett-video.jpg?h=368c78f6&itok=kt4AlAkT)
Six factors to consider when choosing mastitis tubes
![Two people standing in a long dairy barn with cows feeding](/sites/extension.umn.edu/files/styles/crop_featured_image_crop/public/cross-vent%20robotic%20barn-1200.jpg?h=65d7efde&itok=bnr3SVGE)
Precision dairy farming recognizes technology advances and consumer trends to efficiently and humanely manage the herd.