By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota State Farm Business Management (FBM) program is celebrating its 70th anniversary of providing essential educational programs to farmers across the state.
Established in 1953, the FBM program began with a mission to equip active farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in agriculture. Today, FBM serves over 2,800 students statewide and continues to grow.
Through a unique, one-on-one instructional approach, FBM helps students develop the skills needed to thrive in a competitive agricultural environment.
Over the years, the program has evolved from paper-based record-keeping to electronic systems and has adapted to serve both large-scale operations and emerging urban farming. This flexibility has allowed FBM to remain a key resource for Minnesota’s agricultural community.
Keith Olander, Director of AgCentric, the Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence, stated, “The Farm Business Management program has historically been one of the best kept secrets, but at the same time, has also been one of the most valuable Minnesota resources available to assist farmers in making decisions that support their goals and promote business success.”
In addition to providing valuable education, FBM contributes to Minnesota's agricultural data through a comprehensive statewide database. This database is recognized as one of the most trusted sources of financial information in agriculture, helping students compare their farm performance to peers.
It’s a vital resource for managing whole-farm and enterprise data, and it’s utilized by both Minnesota and national agricultural organizations.
To commemorate 70 years of service, FBM is hosting a celebration on Monday, September 11, in St. Cloud. Those interested in attending are encouraged to contact Minnesota FBM for more information.
This milestone highlights FBM’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Minnesota’s agricultural industry and supporting farmer success through quality education and data.
Photo Credit:minnesota-farm-bureau
Categories: Minnesota, Business, Education