Ridgewater College is engaged in discussions to explore the viability of transferring their Farm Business Management (FBM) program to Central Lakes College and Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The proposal, if enacted, would result in the transfer of Ridgewater’s current FBM faculty to the two partner institutions next year. As the proposal now stands, two Ridgewater faculty who serve the Belgrade and Melrose regions would transfer to Central Lakes College, while six faculty who serve the Olivia, Barrett, Hutchinson, Willmar, Hutchinson/Litchfield and Lac qui Parle regions would transfer to Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

Ridgewater College FBM students would continue to receive their FBM education in the same format and structure they are now experiencing, but through a different host institution. The change is intended to preserve FBM services for the agriculture sector in the Ridgewater service region while retaining the positions and function of the current Ridgewater College FBM instructors, but as employees of Central Lakes College and Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

Under the new structure, Ridgewater College would work collaboratively with Central Lakes College and Minnesota West Technical and Community College to ensure a smooth transfer of the faculty and students.