MSU Extension Launches New Beginning Farmer Resource at Great Lakes Expo

Nov 17, 2025

By Jonathan LaPorte

Running a farm business involves passion, vision and drive to be successful. These qualities are especially important for new or beginning farm managers as they face a number of challenges early in their careers. Common challenges include knowledge of production, finding land, constructing or retrofitting housing facilities and financing. Recognizing the significance of these and many other farming challenges, a new resource to assist beginning farmers has been developed by Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with support from GreenStone Farm Credit Services.

The Beginning Farmer Resource and Decision-Making Guide provides a pathway to resources a new farmer or decision-maker may need to get started and support their production journey. Starting with production in mind, resources give farmers an introduction to important farming topics and direct them to education and decision-making tools and how to connect with agricultural partners.

Source : msu.edu

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.