Side by Side Digital Series

Digital Series Overview

As a customer-owned financial cooperative, we are committed to serving the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Growing your farm or ranch can be a significant challenge for any producer but can be especially challenging for the next generation. Some of the most important decisions you make impact the finances of your operation.

The weather, commodity prices, and trade, are a few areas in agriculture that are outside of your control. However, there are plenty of things that you can control to proactively manage risk. Taking time to develop financial management skills and decision-making strategies is important.

We put together a team of experts and launched Side by Side Digital, an ongoing educational series that tackles topics tailored to young and beginning producers.

Here’s what you can expect:

An exclusive invite to a webinar the first Wednesday of every month, featuring experts ready to answer your questions and provide valuable insights.

Access to on-demand recorded content from each webinar.

E-learning tutorials and resources around essential topics when it comes to financial decision making.

Mark Jensen, our CEO, and Nick Jorgensen, a producer and Association Director, kicked off the series and discussed the challenges and resources that exist for young and beginning producers. Register for an upcoming webinar and access previously recorded webinars below.

APRIL LIVE WEBINAR

MARCH WEBINAR RECORDING

Knowing your cost of production is essential to making sound business decisions.

Our e-learning program can help apply this important financial tool to your operation.

cost of production - start learning

Marketing Your Product / Marketing YOU

March 1, 2023

Kate Lambert, vice president of marketing for FCS Financial, covered risks and rewards of cultivating a personal brand.

New Year's Grain Marketing Resolutions

January 4, 2023

Elaine Kub outlined some possibilities for the commodity markets and how agricultural producers can be primed to make the most of them by thinking ahead and avoiding the pitfalls of the unprepared.

Building Your 2023 Risk Management Plan

December 7, 2022

We covered considerations like working with experts, family members, and other key stakeholders, as well as important year-end reminders and deadlines.

Meetings that Matter

November 2, 2022

Whether a conversation with your lender, your landlord, or another member of your farm team, learn how to be successful and build your professional reputation.

Farm Employment Issues

October 5, 2022

J’Nan Ensz, CPA, explored farm employment-related topics including contract labor vs. employment, wages in dollars vs. commodities, tax considerations when hiring your children and government compliance considerations.

Successful Negotiations with Ag Families

September 7, 2022

Allan Vyhnalek with the Nebraska Extension shared communication and negotiation skills that help family operations function well.

Grain Marketing Doesn't Have to Feel like an Emotional Rollercoaster

August 3, 2022

Grain marketing decisions can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. But they don’t have to. Learn more about taking control – and how the contracting options you choose help you achieve specific objectives.

Working On vs In the Business

July 6, 2022

It's easy to get bogged down in day-to-day tactical pieces of running a farm or ranch. Watch the webinar for tips on developing a strategic mindset focused on moving your business forward.

Preparing a Family Farm for the Future State of Agriculture

June 1, 2022

Hans Riensche, Aimpoint Research®, explored how technology continues to change on-farm dynamics and practices, and what you can do today to prepare your operation for the future.

Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in Farm Transition Planning

May 4, 2022

Kitt Tovar Jensen, staff attorney at ISU’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, discussed common legal pitfalls that can arise in farm transition planning and what steps you can take to avoid them.

Market Moving Weather

April 6, 2022

Disruptive weather events across agriculturally productive regions are a major part of commodity price movement. High impact events (i.e., drought, floods, severe storms) cause substantial volatility in a grower’s financial stability. We discussed how weather throughout winter and early spring will influence the 2022 growing season.

The True Costs of Home Ownership

March 2, 2022

Your home can represent a large proportion of your family budget. Whether buying, building, or remodeling, expenses related to home ownership may be overlooked. Our experts discussed some common scenarios when it comes to home ownership and tips and tools to help your decision-making.

Costs, Profits, and Pitfalls for the 2022 Ag Markets

February 2, 2022

Elaine Kub, grain market expert, explored the driving forces behind costs of production, global supply-and-demand, and transportation influences that may sustain or threaten profitable grain prices. She also offered tips based on common behavior patterns and individual risk appetites to help producers optimize their marketing plan.

Crop Insurance: More Than Just Risk Management

January 5, 2022

Crop insurance can help you market with confidence. Our experts explored how to integrate crop insurance into your marketing plans to support your 2022 goals.

Cost of Production

December 1, 2021

Knowing your cost of production is essential to making sound business decisions. Profitable marketing depends on this calculation. Your cost of production also can inform decisions about expanding your operation, making new investments and more. Join our experts as they walk through getting started with cost of production.

Your Balance Sheet Appointment

November 3, 2021

Do you dread putting together your balance sheet every year? Our experts tackled the most common questions related to balance sheets and shared tips on how to make the process smooth and seamless to help you get the most out of your balance sheet appointment.

Family Living Expenses

October 6, 2021

One of the most overlooked financial items that impacts family farms is family living expenses. Yet, managing family living expenses can inadvertently be a contributor to your farm’s financial success or struggle. Learn why tracking family living expenses is important, how to track family living expenses, and why this aspect of finances is important.

Business Negotiations

September 1, 2021

Whether purchasing or renting land, buying inputs, or investing in machinery, every dollar on the farm matters. Are you negotiating on items where savings matters most? Jim Knuth walked us through tips for strengthening our negotiation skills when it matters most.

Don't Drown in Paperwork

August 4, 2021

Receipts, invoices, tax returns, warranties, legal documents - are you drowning in your operation's paperwork? You don’t have to be. This webinar discussed how long you should keep each type of document and provided some tips and tricks for collecting, filing, and securely storing important documents.

Managing Machinery and Equipment

July 7, 2021

Machinery and equipment are major costs in a farm operation. Rising prices and falling inventory can create significant challenges, especially for producers just starting out. Join our experts as they discuss about how to acquire machinery and how to make the best machinery management decisions.

Planning for Success

June 2, 2021

Whether you're just starting, exploring a new enterprise, bringing on new partners, or taking over an existing operation, a business plan can help you think strategically about your operation’s future. This webinar focused on how to get started and how business planning can prepare you to take advantage of new opportunities.

Growing the Farm and the Family

May 5, 2021

Growing the farm, while also trying to professionalize the business, all while managing family relationships, is like trying to change a tire while the truck is moving. This webinar focused on the mindset, skills and models for improving and growing your operation while managing the dynamics of both family and business relationships.

The Art of the Side Hustle

April 7, 2021

Alternative revenue streams can contribute to the growth and success of an operation. Our experts discussed how to evaluate whether an alternative revenue stream may be profitable and key considerations before jumping in.

Loan Application Process

March 3, 2021

The loan application process can sometimes feel daunting. Our experts walked through how to prepare an application and what goes on behind the scenes after it is submitted. We also discussed opportunities that exist for young and beginning producers.

Transition Planning

February 3, 2021

Brandon Dirkschneider, Managing Principal at Insurance Design Management Inc., discussed how to start the conversation about transition planning and what steps you can take to leave a lasting legacy for the future.

2021 Market Outlook

January 6, 2021

Naomi Blohm, Senior Market Advisor at Total Farm Marketing, explained the current domestic and global fundamental outlook for corn and soybeans. She also shared 5 tips to for grain marketing to help you get ready for 2021 pricing opportunities.

Building Budgets

December 2, 2020

Your budget is an important management tool and key to making important decisions on your operation such as cash-flow planning, marketing goals, risk management, cost control, enterprise analysis and land rental decisions. Angie Treptow and Maggie Holub discussed how to build your best budget.

Balance Sheet Best Practices

November 4, 2020

Your balance sheet can give you insights into your capital position and allow you to benchmark your operation. Nick Bauer and Kevin Hicks discussed best practices and tips around creating balance sheets.

Farming Today and Tomorrow

October 7, 2020

Mark Jensen and Nick Jorgensen discussed challenges that exist for young and beginning producers as well as resources and opportunities. Nick Jorgensen also shared his story and insights as a young producer.

What is Side by Side?

Side by Side is a high impact educational conference held annually in Omaha, NE for young and beginning producers. Side by Side features agriculture industry and Farm Credit experts who share insights on financial management, business outlooks, transition planning, risk management and other key issues affecting young and beginning producers. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other conference attendees. The conference goals are to educate, inspire, exchange ideas and encourage advocacy for agriculture.

side by side digital contact

For more information about our Side by Side Digital Series, email us at sidebyside@fcsamerica.com.