Purdue program sends farm managers back to school
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – School will be in session for farmers wanting to better educate themselves on sound business management practices during Purdue Management Academy: Target 2015.
The new program takes place Feb. 18 and 25 and March 4 and 11 at seven locations across Indiana. It is sponsored by Purdue University Extension and the North Central Risk Management Education Center.
Producers of family-owned, multigenerational agricultural operations are the intended audience, said Kelly Heckaman, educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County, and the program coordinator.
"We are going to provide tools, resources and a network for producers to create a strategic business management program targeting 2015," Heckaman said. "A Purdue Extension survey in 2008 found that our producers are requesting more information on product and enterprise diversification strategies, marketing plans and strategies, business and strategic planning, employee management and transition, and estate planning.
"Our goal has been to create a top-notch management education program for producers in Indiana who have multiple family members or employees in the operation. The plus is that they can do this right here in Indiana."
Session titles and topics include:
* Feb. 18, "Strategic Business Planning" - Positioning the farm business, mission and vision statements, goal setting and measurement, business plan development, and standard operating procedures.
* Feb. 25, "Gathering and Utilizing Financial Information" - Measuring profitability, managing debt, using management accounting to link financial performance analysis, benchmarks and trends in financial information, and farm size.
* March 4, "Human Resources" - Enhancing work force productivity and job satisfaction, communicating with family members, and communicating with stakeholders.
* March 11, "Marketing and Risk Management" - Developing a strategic marketing plan, why farm operations need public relations plans, training the next general manager and managing the farm in turbulent times.
Sessions will be conducted by a combination of Internet protocol (IP) video broadcasts and live speakers at workshop locations. Keynote speakers appearing by IP video include Purdue agricultural economists Corinne Alexander, Mike Boehlje and Allan Gray; Robert Milligan of Dairy Strategies LLC; and Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting. Other presentations will be made by local Purdue Extension educators and agricultural professionals.
Program times will be the same all four days. The six sites hosting the program from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST include:
* Clark County - Clark County Ag Building, 9608 Indiana 62, Suite 1, Charlestown.
* Fountain County - 301 Fourth St., Covington.
* Howard County - 120 E. Mulberry St., Suite 105, Kokomo.
* Knox County - 4367 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes.
* Marshall County - 304 Marshall County Building, 112 W. Jefferson St., Plymouth.
* Wells County - Wells County Community Center, 1240 S. 4-H Road, Bluffton.
A Newton County site, at 4117 S. 240 W., Suite 600, Morocco, will host the program from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST.
Registration is $150 per person and includes program materials and meals. Registration for additional members from the same farm operation or family is $100. A $25 late charge will be assessed for registrations after the Feb. 10 deadline.
A program brochure with additional information and registration form is available online at https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Kosciusko/ANR.htm. Further details also are available by contacting Heckaman at 574-372-2340, kheckaman@purdue.edu.
Writer: Steve Leer, 765-494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu
Source: Kelly Heckaman, 574-372-2340, kheckaman@purdue.edu
Related Web site:
Purdue Department of Agricultural Economics: https://www.ag.purdue.edu/agecon
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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