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Saturday, December 5, 2009

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Ag Center event features state commissioner

STAPLES - The Central Lakes Ag Center hosted its 22nd Annual Farm Forum Dec. 2 in the Assembly Room at the Staples campus of Central Lakes College.

The title of this year's forum was "Managing in Times of Economic Challenge."

This event is the result of a long-standing partnership among the Central Lakes College Farm Business Management program, the Ag Center, and First International Bank and Trust of Staples.

Gene Hugoson, Minnesota commissioner of Agriculture provided his view on the status of agriculture in Minnesota. He noted that this past year was extremely difficult for dairy and hog farmers and complimented the farming community for a commitment to produce food and sustained optimism about the future.

Gene Hugoson

The program topics ranged from an annual income tax update as it relates to the farm business, the impact of global agriculture on local producers, best practices in crop drying in a year of high moisture and quality concerns in crops, current issues and future opportunities in renewable energy, and risk management options for farmers.

Other speakers were Marv Rothstein and Greg Engen, First International Bank and Trust; Bob Schafer, Central Lakes Ag Center director; Keith Olander and Bob Rick, FBM instructors; CPAs Keith Porter, Charles Mayer, and Julie Nelson of Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn & Rowe, Ltd.; and Mark Ratajesak, B & M Dryer Service.

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Ag Center event features state commissioner

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