New Farm Advocate Joins Minnesota’s Fight For Farmer Stability

Minnesota farmers are facing some tough headwinds right now — from tighter margins to rising interest rates — and the state is adding another resource to help.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has brought on Ron Dvergsten as its newest farm advocate, expanding a team that works directly with farmers and farm families who are navigating financial stress and operational challenges.

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Dvergsten joins a group of 11 farm advocates across the state. The program itself dates back to 1984, when it was created in response to the farm crisis of the early 1980s. At the time, many farm families needed help restructuring debt and building financial plans to stay afloat. Four decades later, that need hasn’t gone away.

The services provided through the MDA’s farm advocate program are free and confidential. Advocates work one-on-one with farmers to review finances, prepare for mediation sessions with lenders, and think through difficult possibilities like bankruptcy or foreclosure.

Dvergsten brings decades of experience in Northwest Minnesota agriculture. He has worked as both an ag lender and a Farm Business Management instructor — giving him insight into both the financial and practical sides of running a farm.

The timing of his appointment comes as financial stress in agriculture is rising again. In 2025, Minnesota saw double-digit increases in farm bankruptcies, driven by lower crop prices, higher input costs, and higher interest rates on operating loans. Nationally, farm bankruptcies climbed 45 percent last year.

For farmers who may be feeling the pressure, the farm advocate program is designed to be a starting point — and a steady hand — during uncertain times.

For more information about the program, visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website.