Sara Schafer

Sara (Muri) Schafer, editor of Top Producer magazine, grew up on a family farm where they raised hogs and cattle, along with soybeans, corn, wheat, milo and hay. Since joining Farm Journal Media in 2008, she has covered a broad range of topics pivotal to the success of U.S. farmers. In addition to being an award-winning journalist, she has played several key roles with the transformative relaunch of AgWeb.com and spearheaded the Farm Journal Legacy Project expansion. Sara graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She resides in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and daughter.

Latest Stories
ROI of a Thank You
Health
ROI of a Thank You: 5 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Farm Team
Your goal is to commit yourself to establishing a culture of thanks on your farm. Try out a few of these ideas during this season of Thanksgiving.
July 21, 2023 01:51 PM
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Sara Schafer
Ag Lender Survey Results
Taxes and Finance
Survey Results: Ag Lenders Share Profitability Forecasts, Top Concerns and More
In just a few years the farm financial pendulum swung from shaky to stable, according to the 2022 Agricultural Lender Survey report by the American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac.
July 21, 2023 01:49 PM
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Sara Schafer
Corn Crop Price Poll
Corn
Take Our Poll: How Much of Your 2022 Corn Crop Have You Priced?
With corn harvest complete, is your grain sitting unsold in the bin or have you sold it?
July 21, 2023 01:47 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
Invest in B Players
Succession Planning
Promote Bs to As: Invest in Your Employees Who Have High Potential
Managers tend to focus on two groups: the overachievers and the underachievers. As a result, he says, you neglect the employees who could become high performers — aka the B players.
July 21, 2023 01:45 PM
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Sara Schafer
2023 Top Producer Summit
Taxes and Finance
Why You Can’t Afford to Miss the 2023 Top Producer Summit
For 2023, make expanding your business edge a priority by joining Top Producer at its annual Top Producer Summit.
July 21, 2023 01:25 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
Trustee
Succession Planning
How to Choose Your Trustee to Match Your Farm Estate Plan
You’ve done the hard part. You’ve set up a trust and allocated assets. Now, who will oversee it after you’re gone? Choosing a trustee is a major financial and personal decision.
July 21, 2023 01:23 PM
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Sara Schafer
Seven Springs Farms
Taxes and Finance
Seven Springs Farms: Enterprises Come And Go As Market Demands Dictate
At Seven Springs Farm in Cadiz, Ky., the calculator drives decisions. With acute focus on ROI, Joe Nichols has expanded and contracted his farm’s size and scope through the years.
July 21, 2023 01:22 PM
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Sara Schafer
Jerry Gulke
Market Analysis
Jerry Gulke: Reality Check Time for Unpriced Old-Crop and New-Crop Corn
If you have unpriced old-crop corn, you’re not alone. Jerry Gulke provides his tips for post-harvest grain marketing and how to approach your 2023 plan.
July 21, 2023 01:20 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
Legacy Project
Succession Planning
Pick Your Power: Learn How Powers of Appointment Work In Estate Planning
In your will or trust documents, you name a power of appointment. This means you grant power to an individual to name recipients of all or a portion of your money and property in the future.
July 21, 2023 01:18 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
Farm Debt on Illinois Farms, 2021
Taxes and Finance
Debt Load Discipline: How To Manage Your Operation’s Interest Rate Risk
With higher interest rates the new norm, it’s time to assess your debt structure and interest rate risk.
July 21, 2023 01:17 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
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