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
family
$100 Ideas
Do You Avoid These 14 Family Business Landmines?
Family farm businesses face unique challenges. As a result, 90% of family businesses don’t survive past the third generation, says Dick Wittman, president of Wittman Consulting and a farmer in Culdesac, Idaho.
November 17, 2020 07:38 PM
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Sara Schafer
Monthly family meetings and including an adviser in the process have been the key for the Dell family to advance their succession plans.
$100 Ideas
10 Steps for a Successful Management Transition
How can you prepare your successor and step down from being the manager? Klinefelter says families should follow these steps.
November 17, 2020 07:37 PM
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Sara Schafer
CBOT 6
$100 Ideas
Top Producer’'s Marketing Advisors
We occasionally get calls from farmers who follow one of the market advisers we report asking their results are so different. One answer lies in our methodology--how we treat basis, storage costs and the like (click on our Methodology button to review what we do).
November 17, 2020 07:37 PM
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Sara Schafer
In and around the fourth annual EWA in Chicago.
$100 Ideas
7 Must-See Speakers at the Executive Women in Agriculture 2016
This annual business conference held Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 in Chicago, will offer women a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts and network with other like-minded women.
November 17, 2020 07:36 PM
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Sara Schafer
$100 Ideas
Meet the 2014 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award Winner
Jeremy Weaver, a vegetable and row crop farmer in Needham, Ind., was honored as the third winner of this young farmer award.
November 17, 2020 07:22 PM
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Sara Schafer
In and around the fourth annual EWA in Chicago.
$100 Ideas
7 Must-See Speakers at the Executive Women in Agriculture Conference
This two-day seminar, which will be held Dec. 3 and 4 in Chicago, will offer women a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts and network with other like-minded women.
November 17, 2020 07:19 PM
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Sara Schafer
Top_Notch_Farms
$100 Ideas
The Secrets to A Dedicated Team
Farmers should develop a culture to retain good employees. Here’s some advice on how to do that.
November 17, 2020 07:17 PM
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Sara Schafer
$100 Ideas
Up Your Listening Game
Whether leading a gaggle of employees or interacting with on-farm family members, you can improve management through these time-tested listening strategies, courtesy of “Listen Up”.
November 17, 2020 07:16 PM
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Sara Schafer
$100 Ideas
The Cost of Conflict
Conflict in a family business is inevitable, but don’t let your farm lose productivity
November 17, 2020 07:14 PM
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Sara Schafer
The AgEagle Board of Directors has named Brandon Torres Declet, current Chief Operating Officer of the Company, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
$100 Ideas
3 Tips on Buying Land in a Declining Market
Land expert Mike Walsten shares his thoughts on the current land market and how farmers can make smart land buying decisions.
November 17, 2020 07:08 PM
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Sara Schafer
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