“Education and training may not show up instantly on a balance sheet, but they matter— to our team and to our members.”

earning is a life-long opportunity. What you do on the farm today still produces grain and livestock, but how you do it is likely different than the generation before you. Technology changes. Consumer and end-user preferences evolve. So, you learn and adapt to meet those needs.  

Like the changes you make on the farm, it’s the responsibility of a cooperative like MFA to make sure our knowledge keeps pace with the industry. That comes back to an important focus I have for MFA. We must remain relevant to member-owners wherever new technology or our customers’ needs take us—not just for the near term but for the next generation of farmers, too. 

To fulfill such focus, MFA is intentional about how learning happens in our system. Learning often works best when grounded in real-world experience. For our team and producers alike, efforts like MFA’s 4R field days serve as opportunities to discuss research-based nutrient management in action. These conversations reinforce that good agronomy is built on sound science and practical application—and that we can learn from our peers and collective experience. On page 16 of this issue, you’ll see details about an upcoming 4R Field Day that will do just that. 

Education at MFA also reflects the diversity of operations across our trade territory. In this issue, you’ll see that we’ve partnered with industry and university experts to offer grazing, forage and livestock-focused education. These events, such as MFA’s Forage Tour, emphasize practices that strengthen pasture management, animal health and long-term productivity.

When it comes to delivering expertise that complements your farming operations, we know that internal education and training for MFA staff is critical to being the kind of partner you need. That’s why internal educational opportunities such as MFA’s Agronomy Training Camp and other ongoing professional development programs are a priority. Our annual Training Camp not only allows front-line staff to see and hear about innovative agronomic products and tactics, but it also brings the latest traits and field chemistry to our system in advance. Through our annual trials, we evaluate cutting-edge technology that will be arriving on your farm, learn from it, and relate our experiences to your operation. 

In my view, training our people is not an internal exercise; it’s a member service. When MFA employees are prepared for today’s on-farm challenges through consistent training and education, their recommendations can help make better decisions on the farm. 

You won’t see first-hand all the training we do. MFA invests considerable time and effort in safety training. It may be a cliché to say that our most important asset is our people. But clichés exist because they are true. MFA’s participation in efforts like Stand Up 4 Grain Safety and Safe & Sound Week are ways to encourage our teams to talk through risks and reinforce safe practices before something goes wrong. They support the valuable work that our Safety, Environmental and Regulatory team engages in every day. 

Education and training may not show up instantly on a balance sheet, but they matter—
to our team and to our members. Agriculture will continue to change. We will learn to change with it. It’s an important way we can better serve our members today and for future generations. 

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