University professor Paul Hasbargen was well-known to farmers throughout Minnesota for his seminars on managing farms and raising livestock.
Hasbargen, who taught applied economics and helped farmers with production problems, died March 14. He was 69.
Farming and agriculture were in Hasbargen’s blood. He grew up on a farm in Traverse County, said Jack Sperbeck, extension service communications specialist.
“He was well-known to farmers” across the state because of his outreach work with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, said Vernon Eidman, head of the Department of Applied Economics, where Hasbargen taught for three decades.
Eidman said Hasbargen was an expert in farm management and held seminars for farmers throughout Minnesota. Hasbargen also worked with crop production, but his focus was livestock — particularly swine and beef production.
Hasbargen earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University in agricultural economics before earning his doctorate in the field from Michigan State University in 1967.
Hasbargen began teaching agricultural economics courses at the University in the 1956. He also worked with the extension service throughout his career at the University, Sperbeck said.
Even though Hasbargen retired in 1986, the Forest Lake resident remained active in his church and served as president of its council.
Funeral services were held March 18 at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, Minn.
Hasbargen is survived by his wife, Ervie; daughters Julie Dammann and Linda Watson; eight brothers; three granddaughters; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.