For NDSU student Jacob Fannik, the idea was to simplify and centralize farm management. To do that, Fannik and business partner Ryan Raguse, BS '11, developed Virtual Farm Manager (www.virtualfarmmanager.com).

“Through the Virtual Farm Manager website and phone app, we can help producers become more efficient in their daily operations and in making decisions,” Fannik said. “Producers are able to view or edit their farm records from a smartphone or computer anywhere in the world. They also will be able to do simple coverage logging (field mapping) with various colors for multiple seed varieties or herbicides for chemical applications using the phone’s global positioning system.”

Fannik credits the faculty in the agribusiness and applied economics department for his ability to work on the Virtual Farm Management business.

“Many have helped me better understand the concepts and fundamentals of the economic side of agriculture, along with being helpful mentors when I needed guidance,” Fannik said. “They have had a great effect on what I’m taking away from my collegiate career.”

Fannik will graduate in December with an agricultural economics degree. Raguse graduated from NDSU last fall with a degree in accounting.

“It again shows that NDSU faculty and staff are committed to student success,” said Cole Gustafson, chair of agribusiness and applied economics. “Our teaching and research engage and involve students in an immersive learning environment.”

The Virtual Farm Manager opened for business on April 15. 

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.