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2026 National School for Beginning Ag Lenders
Monday, June 22, 2026 8:00 AM CST to Thursday, June 25, 2026
Category: SDBA Events

2026 National School for Beginning Ag Lenders

June 22-25, 2026

Black Hills State University, Spearfish, S.D.

Enrollment is limited to 72 participants. Priority is given to bank employees and regulators. If the school reaches capacity, a waitlist will open and spots will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Beginning Ag SchoolReady to take your agricultural lending skills to the next level? Join us June 22-25, 2026, on the scenic campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD for an immersive, hands-on school designed specifically for beginning ag bankers. Sponsored by the South Dakota Bankers Association, this intensive program covers all aspects of ag lending—including credit analysis, scoring and risk rating, managing problem loans, and collaborative case studies.


Why Attend?

  • Personalized instruction from experienced professionals
  • Peer-to-peer learning in a small, interactive class setting
  • Practical tools you can immediately apply in your bank
And when class is done for the day, you’ll be in the heart of the scenic Black Hills. Explore Spearfish Canyon’s hiking trails, climb in the Black Hills National Forest, visit iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, or try your luck in historic Deadwood.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy everything Spearfish has to offer. www.visitspearfish.com.

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

The National School for Beginning Ag Bankers is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make smarter, stronger lending decisions. Perfect for ag bankers with zero to three years of experience, this program blends expert instruction with practical, hands-on learning.

What You’ll Learn:
  • The current ag economy and industry trends
  • Balance sheet and working capital analysis
  • Earnings and cash flow analysis
  • Futures, options, and risk management strategies
  • Loan servicing and management assessment
  • Customer profiling and relationship-building techniques

With 25+ hours of interactive instruction, you’ll tackle real-world challenges through case studies and problem-solving exercises. A dynamic bank simulation lets you see firsthand how your lending decisions impact the entire bank operation—across all departments.

Click here to see the full agenda. 

Click here to see session descriptions.

LODGING

Experience the full school community by staying right on campus! Students are housed in private, air-conditioned rooms with two units sharing a jack-and-jill style bathroom. Many rooms feature beautiful views of the Black Hills, making your stay both comfortable and memorable.While on-campus housing is highly recommended for easy access and networking opportunities, it’s not required. For those who prefer off-campus accommodations, hotel room blocks are available at select locations. If you choose to stay off campus, you’ll need to make your own reservations.

Important Tip: Spearfish is a popular tourist destination—hotels book up quickly! Reserve your room early to ensure availability.

Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center

305 North 27th Street
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone: 605.642.4683
Rate: Standard - $150; Suite - $180
Release: May 21, 2026

Spearfish Fairfield Inn & Suites
2720 1st Ave. East
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone: 605.642.3500
Rate: $149
Release: May 21, 2026

REGISTRATION

Includes tuition, on-campus housing June 22-25, breakfasts and lunches on June 23-25, 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, 2026.
  • No refund if canceled after June 1, 2026.
  • Substitutions are allowed at any time.

FACULTY

ROBERT CRAVEN is an agricultural economist with the Center for Farm Financial Management, at the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, where he formerly served as director for over 22 years. 

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 $1.5 billion in agricultural loans for the bank. 

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.

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 economist and the associate director for the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn. 

ALEX WAGNER is an Ag Credit Analyst with First Dakota National Bank in Yankton, SD.