Denice Ferguson, Field Specialist in Agricultural Business, helps producers across Northwest Missouri think through the relationships and policies that affect their business. Denice is passionate about her programming, including how her position can connect numerous University of Missouri resources to local needs. While Denice is knowledgeable in a variety of ag business topics, her state-wide team is most well-known for their cash rental and custom farm rate surveys, which provide a fair and unbiased resource to local farming communities.

As an Ag Business Specialist, Denice works with a range of programs, including answering farm lease questions to offering one-on-one ag business consulting. Recently, Denice has become heavily involved in Farm Family Succession Planning, which helps educate and assist families in the difficult process of determining how to keep their business in the family. Based on her work in this field, Denice said, “It is vital that families begin to include the future generations in the business early so that they not only have training in operations and management but to make it more affordable as well.”

Having joined MU Extension not long before COVID-19, Denice quickly observed the resilient nature of agriculture across her coverage area. This included how many areas rapidly identified a lack of existing broadband infrastructure that created areas of underserved and unserved communities. From this, Denice began her work with the Digitally Connected Communities course to help Missouri counties as they develop an actionable plan to expand broadband access.

To contact Denice regarding how MU Extension can assist you or collaborate with your organization, email her at DeniceFerguson@missouri.edu or call your county Extension Office at 660-744-6231.