Jan. 11 – Glacier County farm loan manager Lacy Roberts will start the series with “Beginning Financial and Production Recordkeeping.” She will cover the basics of developing a balance sheet and cash flow along with how to keep track of income and expenses.

Jan. 13 – Al Kluis, of Kluis Commodity Advisors, will give an in-depth look into the 2022 commodity markets. He will help producers develop marketing plans and explain how to use futures and options to make it personal for each operation. Korey Fauque of Happy Steer Ranch and KW Insurance will share how they have successfully integrated livestock into their farming operation and lessons learned from direct marketing their beef. 

Jan. 18 – Marlee Sandry from USDA Rural Development and Shauna Farver of Farver Farms will share their experiences with value-added agriculture and opportunities for farmers and ranchers to grow profits through a value-added enterprise. Chris Mehus, ranch programs director with the Western Sustainability Exchange will cover carbon credits for farms or ranches and how they affect producers.

Jan. 20 – Marketing and 2022 crop production will be the topic of the night. Kluis will provide Part 2 of his session on developing a marketing plan for a farm or ranch. Northwest Farm Credit Services appraiser Wade McAlpine will cover land values, factors impacting current sales and items to consider when purchasing land.

Jan. 25 – Ty McDonald of Waddel and Reed will cover succession planning for the farm or ranch. No matter your stage in the process, McDonald will share tips for the transition of the agricultural business to the next generation.

Jan. 27 –The conference will conclude with Britney Tempel of Montana Roots Accounting PLLC and Brian Lee of Lee Law Offices covering taxes and legal issues. Tempel will share updates in the tax accounting world and how to manage the tax and cash flow side of a drought. Lee will wrap up with current legal issues in agriculture.