Farmers share ideas to maximizes profits at annual conference

NORFOLK, Neb. - With farming facing tight profit margins this year, farmers are looking to learn more ways to save some green.

That was much the focus of Tuesday's Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference in Norfolk. Bow Creek Watershed Project coordinator Becky Ravenkamp says the second annual event is about helping farmers help each other.

“I truly believe that the best resource for farmers are other farmers,” Ravenkamp said. “They’re starting to figure it out. They’re going to be completely honest with you. They’re not selling you anything. Go visit with them, there’s so much knowledge that our farmers have.”

The conference is co-hosted by the Bazile Groundwater Management Area Project and the Bow Creek Watershed Project. Water protection specialist Jim Olson said the all-day conference was created to help farmers connect and learn about ideas that may have been forgotten.

“But the different small-scale ag and urban ag discussions, and actually bringing it to market and having a place to be able to take those commodities and be able to turn a profit.” Olson said.

Ravenkamp says the conference is already making a positive impact through conversations.

“They talked about putting the joy back in farming and focusing on life — in the soil and on the farms and ranches,” Ravenkamp said. “I think that’s a big one. When you can start focusing on life and the joys that come with farming, it helps us get through those tough years.”

Ravenkamp said organizers are looking forward to next year’s ag conference, which will be held at the same location around the same time.