National Farm Viability Conference: Full Schedule

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9:00am MDT

Navigating the Complex Emotional, Social, and Financial Issues of Working with Farmers in Distress

Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT

Sam Smith of the Intervale Center and Michael Robertson of Cornell University NY FarmNet are proposing a session to explore the process of working with distressed borrowers. Farmers in distress are making difficult decisions under pressure with interconnected personal, financial, and family systems that all need attention. The presenters will discuss the processes they use to work directly with farmers who are experiencing distress and present examples of different farm scenarios and outcomes. The goal of the workshop is to introduce strategies for working with farmers in distress and build the confidence and skills of attendees to work with these farms. The session will touch on the following topics: Initial assessment including financial, emotional and relational readiness. Readiness determines the work and there are different entry points for clients Service provider strategies for approaching difficult conversations. The term 'soft skills' is misleading – these skills are the core intervention and there are specific teachable competencies. Collecting financial and production data to develop potential scenarios. Working with partners: lenders, attorneys, CPAs, mediation, mental health. Introducing challenging concepts (bankruptcy, sale of assets including the farm) Creating a viable plan with support for implementation Outcomes are driven as much by human systems as by financial conditions. Most cases do not result in full turnaround, disengagement is common (though they often return later), and the emotional and relational barriers > technical barriers.

Speakers

Sam Smith

Farm Business Director, Intervale Center

Sam Smith is the Farm Business Director at the Intervale Center. He has background in livestock and vegetable farming, and a MBA in Sustainability from Antioch New England. He works with throughout Vermont to improve farm viability and develop the next generation of farm and food... Read More →

Michael Robertson

NY FarmNet and/or Shelterbelt Advisors

Michael Robertson is the Farm Business Management Specialist at NY FarmNet. He also runs Shelterbelt Advisors, a small investment advisory and tax preparation firm that serves farmers. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York on a sheep farm.

Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Alvarado G

Business Planning and Development, Farm Financial Management

11:00am MDT

Navigating Farm Financial Stress: Tools, Decisions, and Knowing Your Tipping Point

Wednesday September 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Alvarado G

Farming has never been easy, and when the agricultural economy takes a hit, survival can come down to a few critical decision points. This interactive workshop shares practical financial tools to assess a producer's operation honestly and respond strategically; from building and analyzing key financial statements to understanding solvency, managing capital, and knowing what information lenders want to see. This session will also assess available options when financial pressure is mounting and cash is tight. Most importantly, we'll tackle a question many farmers are afraid to ask: At what point do you consider an exit strategy? Understanding one's tipping point isn't giving up, it's part of a thorough decision-making process. Participants will leave prepared to work with producers to evaluate their situations clearly and help them make informed choices on their own terms.

Speakers

Paul Dietmann

Vice President, New Markets, Compeer

Paul is a Vice President of New Markets at Compeer Financial. He and his wife Julie live in Prairie du Sac, WI with their daughter and two sons. His primary role at Compeer is to provide loans and other assistance to emerging market farmers in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois... Read More →

Chris Laughton

Director of Knowledge Exchange, Farm Credit East

Chris Laughton is the Director of Knowledge Exchange at Farm Credit East. He coordinates Farm Credit East's customer education and beginning farmer programs. He holds a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Cornell University, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, and a Master... Read More →

Wednesday September 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Alvarado G

Farm Financial Management