The Superior Express -

There is still time to register for an upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture that will focus on the basics of land management, leasing and conservation for landlords and tenants.

“The Power of Negotiation and Communication: Land Leasing Strategies for Midwestern Ag Women” program will be a 4-part series, held at two locations in the Post Rock Extension District. These locations will include Mankato at the Community Center and in Osborne at the United Christian Church. The series will focus on writing agricultural lease agreements, landlord-tenant relationships, negotiations and conservation practices. Workshops will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Jan. 18 and 25, Feb. 1 and 8.

Even though the program is targeting women producers, spouses are also welcome. We all know that it takes a “partnership” with the entire farm family.

Registrations are requested by Jan. 13, either online at http://www.postrock. ksu.edu or to a district office. The registration fee can be mailed or dropped off at a Post Rock Extension district office as well.

The program is a collaboration between extension women in agriculture programs at Purdue University, Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

According to department of agriculture census data from 2017, there are more than 90,000 women producers and more than 51,000 female landlords in the three states.“Women represent an important and growing demographic in agricultural land management and this workshop series will teach essential management information while providing participants the chance to ask questions, connect with each other and share their experiences,” said Blaire Todd and Sandra Wick, livestock and crop production agents.

Each state will host several workshop sites with local extension personnel. Keynote speakers will be simulcast to each location and each site will provide additional speakers and hands-on activities. Dinner will be included.

Todd and Wick said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information. “Connections are so important to women farmers,” they said. “We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties and mitigate the isolation that so many of us in agriculture often feel.”

The workshops seek to help participants increase their awareness of local land values and cash rental rates and the factors that influence them. They will also cover the importance of having a written lease and the items that should be included in it to ensure an equitable agreement for all parties. Participants will learn negotiation strategies as well as best practices to improve relationships between landlords and tenants.

Conservation programs will also be covered, so that participants will have a greater understanding of compliance requirements and increase their awareness of voluntary conservation programs that are available to them.

The series of four workshops cost $50 per person for in-person (includes dinner each night) and participants should plan to attend each session. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers.