By Andi Anderson
Farmers looking to strengthen their grain marketing knowledge can participate in the free Beyond the Bin Grain Marketing Workshop on December 4, 2025, hosted by the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension at the Van Buren County office in Hartford, Michigan.
The workshop aims to help producers understand the key elements of marketing beyond production. Participants will explore vital topics like goal setting, price targets, bushel objectives, decision deadlines, and effective use of pricing tools. The hands-on session will guide farmers in developing practical strategies tailored to their own operations.
Led by Jonathan LaPorte, MSU Extension educator, the morning session will introduce market planning fundamentals under the theme “Market Planning 101.” Later, Nicolle Ritchie, also from MSU Extension, will discuss “Pesticide ROI and Profitability”, which qualifies for one restricted use pesticide (RUP) credit.
The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with lunch at noon. An optional practice session will follow until 2 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to apply what they learned to real-world scenarios from their farms.
Funded by Project GREEEN, this event is free of charge, with lunch and refreshments provided. However, participants are encouraged to pre-register to ensure that enough materials and meals are prepared. Farmers can register online or call the Van Buren County MSU Extension office at 269-657-8213 for assistance.
By attending this event, farmers can gain a clearer understanding of grain marketing, improve profitability, and make more confident marketing decisions in the year ahead helping them think truly “beyond the bin.”
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Business