2025 National School for Experienced Ag Bankers

June 23-26, 2025

Black Hills State University | Spearfish, SD

The National School for Experienced Ag Bankers is a seminar for experienced ag bankers who want to further develop their ag lending skills, learn new skills, confirm existing methodology and meet fellow bankers who share the same career path. Taught by a nationally-recognized faculty of bankers, academics and other real-world ag banking practitioners, this program is focused on ag lending opportunities and challenges that are relevant to ag bankers from across the United States.

Set in beautiful Spearfish, S.D., right in the center of the United States, students will have ample time to enjoy the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota. Whether you enjoy hiking in Spearfish Canyon, rock climbing in the Black Hills National Forest, viewing monuments such as Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, or just testing your luck at the tables in historic Deadwood, S.D., Spearfish has you covered!  Visit  www.visitspearfish.com.

2025 CURRICULUM

Now that you have some experience in credit servicing, credit analysis and risk rating, the school instructors will provide course material primarily by case study, supported by lectures and intensive analysis. Instructors will provide valuable information and additional analytical tools that will guide and inform you on how to approach and resolve complex loans. You will gain skills that will help with early identification of problem loans and discovering solutions.

The curriculum for this school is built on a foundation of six pillars that are essential to ag bankers:

• Cash to Accrual
• Understanding Advanced Marketing Concepts
• Multi-Entity Lending

• Analyzing Causes of and Corrective Actions
• Understanding and Avoiding Lender Liability Situations
• Improving Lender-to-Borrower Communications

3. Intermediate and Long-Range Farm Economic Outlook
4. Business Ethics
5. Real World Case Studies
6. Peer Interactions
All sessions will be presented in a relaxed, open format seminar approach that encourages you to interact with fellow students and faculty. For a detailed look at the curriculum, visit www.sdba.com/ag-school.

HOUSING

Students will stay on campus in new student housing in private rooms, with two units connected by a shared bathroom. Rooms are air conditioned with gorgeous views of the Black Hills. On campus housing is strongly encouraged; however, it is not required. There are also hotel room blocks at the following locations for those who wish to stay off campus. PLEASE NOTE HOTEL RELEASE DATES.

Fairfield Inn & Suites
2720 1st Ave. East
Spearfish, S.D.
Phone: 605.642.3500
Rate: $139
Release: May 22, 2025

Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center
305 North 27th Street
Spearfish, S.D.
Phone: 605.642.4683
Rate: Standard - $150; Suite - $180
Release: May 22, 2025

REGISTRATION

Includes tuition, on-campus housing June 23-26, breakfasts and lunches on June 24-26, and student materials. Everything you need for the school is provided in the registration fee.

• State Banking Association Members: $1,995 per person
• Non-Members: $2,095 per person
• A $250 cancellation fee will be charged if canceled after May 1, 2025.
• No refund if canceled after June 1, 2025.
• Substitutions are allowed at any time.

FACULTY

ROBERT CRAVEN is an extension economist and associate director of the Center for Farm Financial Management, at the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn.

DANA DYKHOUSE is the Chief Executive Officer of First PREMIER Bank in Sioux Falls.

NATE FRANZEN is president of the agri-business division at First Dakota National Bank in Yankton, S.D., where he and his team service more than $1.2 billion in agricultural loans for the bank.

KEITH GAUER is a member of the Banking and Financial Services Practice Group at Davenport Evans in Sioux Falls, S.D., and focuses his practice on the representation of banks and companies involved in the development, marketing, and distribution of financial services.

ROB L. MEADORS is an attorney with the law firm of Brende & Meadors LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Rob primarily practices in debtor/creditor matters, bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and transactional matters.

SAM MILLER is an experienced Agriculture and Agribusiness professional. Formerly, Sam was Managing Director and Group Head of Agriculture Banking at BMO Commercial Bank leading production agriculture and agribusiness-related banking activities. 

JACKSON TAKACH is the chief economist and senior director of strategy, research and analytics at Farmer Mac in Washington, D.C.

EDWARD USSET serves as a grain marketing economist for the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn.

PAULINE VAN NURDEN is an extension economist for the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn.

MORE INFO OR QUESTIONS

Contact Halley Lee or Natalie Likness at [email protected] or 800.726.7322 for more information or if you have any questions.