COLUMBIA, Mo. – Agricultural lenders seeking to sharpen their skills are invited to register for the University of Missouri Agricultural Lenders School, June 2-5 in Columbia.

MU Extension agricultural economist Ryan Milhollin says the school is tailored to help early-career lenders and those new to agricultural loan responsibilities develop the knowledge and confidence to serve farm clients effectively.

“The Agricultural Lenders School gives participants the tools they need to assess credit risks, understand financial statements and navigate industry challenges,” said Milhollin. “Lenders can walk away with insights and resources to improve their lending decisions.”

Milhollin said the curriculum, taught by University of Missouri faculty, industry professionals and financial experts, covers essential topics in agricultural finance, including:

• Agricultural financial statements and credit analysis.
• Financial benchmarks and comparative data.
• Effective communication with farm clients.
• Loan structuring and risk management.
• Legal considerations, lien documentation and servicing issues.
• Emerging issues in agricultural finance.
• USDA Farm Service Agency programs and perspectives.

Instructors make use of case studies, real-world exercises, presentations and discussions. Participants from the 2024 Agricultural Lenders School noted that the hands-on learning and interactive nature of the training was particularly helpful in applying concepts in realistic scenarios, Milhollin said.

Since 2000, the Agricultural Lenders School has trained more than 750 lenders nationwide, equipping them with the skills to succeed in agricultural lending, he said.

Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. The deadline to register is May 12.

For more information and to register, visit http://muext.us/aglenderschool2025.

This program is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension, FCS Financial, Missouri Independent Bankers Association and Missouri Bankers Association.