Beet Sugar Agriculture School
The Beet Sugar Agriculture School is sponsored and directed by the Beet Sugar Development Foundation on behalf of the Member and Associate Member Companies. It is a self-sustaining school of agriculture technology and practice.
Ag School
July 27 – 31, 2026
Location
Courtyard By Marriott – Bay City, MI
Resources
For more information, email director, Anna Murphy
Anna@bsdf-assbt.org
Purpose
The purpose of this year’s school is for students to learn about the basics of sugar beet production, as well as the latest technology and practices. The course will concentrate on, but not be exclusive to, that area of the country in which it is being held in any year. The school should increase the knowledge and heighten the awareness of its students to circumstances they may encounter in sugar beet production.
Eligibility
There are no educational requirements for students. However, the courses will be taught at a college level. Course materials will be made available for student study and for future information.
Students are enrolled on the proposal of regular or associate Member Companies of the Beet Sugar Development Foundation. The BSDF Board of Directors approved attendance of non-member company students on the following basis: Each student must be sponsored by a member company; in addition to the normal tuition, a surcharge of $400 per non-member student per session will be assessed, and a letter of support from the sponsoring member company must be submitted to the BSDF office prior to registration. Space will be allocated to member company students first.
Prospective students will pay and register online. Credit cards will be accepted upon registration. Click on the link below to register. Registration closes on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Cancellation Policy
No enrollment changes will be permitted after Monday, July 13, 2026. Any cancellation of any MIBST student enrollment received by July 13, 2026 for Ag School is fully refundable. A fee of $500 per student will be charged for any cancellation after July 13, 2026.
General Information
Tuition fees – The 2026 tuition for a BSDF member company student based on single occupancy is $2,000. A surcharge of $400 as described under ‘Eligibility’ will be assessed to students currently employed by a non-member company. Tuition includes lodging for five nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Bay City, instructor fees, supplies, breakfast, and meals as described below. There are no tuition discounts for making other lodging arrangements.
Meals – Breakfast, for students only, will be provided to students Monday through Friday. Light snacks and drinks during the morning and afternoon breaks will be available to students while class is in session. Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday. Dinner will be provided Tuesday through Thursday. Companies should provide students with an expense account for meals, other than the above. Reasonable meals are available near the hotel.
Hotel Accommodations – Tuition includes rooming at the Courtyard by Marriott Bay City for five nights, beginning the Sunday before school starts and ending on Friday.
2026 Hotel check-in / check-out dates (included in tuition): Sunday, July 26 / Friday, July 31
Any additional nights outside of the check-in/check-out dates listed above will be charged to the student at the daily hotel rate.
Unless other advance arrangements are made with the BSDF by the student and his/her company, all students will be housed at Courtyard by Marriott Bay City, 2 East Main Street, Bay City, MI 48708. It is imperative to let BSDF staff know by June 26, 2026 if a student has decided not to stay at this hotel, as BSDF must must inform the Hotel of the rooming list at that time. Room reservations will be made by the Beet Sugar Development Foundation for each student attending classes.
General Plan of Courses
The course will concentrate on sugar beet production. Appropriate reference materials will be provided.
Classes will also be held at the hotel. Registration will be on Monday, July 27, at 7:30am in the meeting room. Class will end at noon on Friday, July 31. Students are required to attend the session in full to receive a certificate of completion. For those flying home, please do not make any travel arrangements for Friday, July 31, before 2:30pm.
Students will participate in a group project called “Future Piler”. This project allows students to meet individuals from other cooperatives, companies, and regions, to share information and ideas and discuss lecture learnings to describe/diagram their “Future Piler”. On the last day of the session, each group will present their “future piler” to the rest of the class and to a panel of judges.
Auditors will not be permitted in the classes, other than school officials, instructors and executives of Member and Associate Member Companies of BSDF. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Credits will be offered at this session.
We look forward to your attendance at Ag School, a.k.a. “Beet School” in Bay City, MI in 2026!
Anna Murphy
Executive Vice President