Agriculture Economic SkillsPlan of Work

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Butler County CES

Title:
Agriculture Economic Skills
MAP:
Improving Farm Practices
Agents Involved:
Drake
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Ag Marketing
Situation:

Agriculture economics continues to be an important topic in Butler County. Farm management, record keeping, marketing and estate planning all emerged in conversations with stakeholders. Butler County’s farm population is aging and new producers need these skills. Tight margins are projected heightening this need.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farms are profitable. Farm operations and businesses are transferred between generations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers and landowners are able to arrive at fair rental arrangements. Farmers keep good financial and production records and use them to better manage their operation.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers learn basic bookkeeping and record keeping skills. Farmers learn basics of farm marketing. Farmers gain farm management skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator:

Method:

Timeline:


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers gain farm management skills

Indicator: Did they gain knowledge?

Method: Paper evaluation

Timeline: March 2020


Long-term Outcome: Farmers keep good records

Indicator: Are farmers keeping better records?

Method: Interviews

Timeline: April 2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Small Business Owners, Landowners

Project or Activity: Farm Management Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Understanding costs/budgeting

Inputs: UK specialist time,

Date: March 2020


Audience: Farmers, Small Business Owners, Landowners

Project or Activity: Business Succession Program

Content or Curriculum: How to transition a business between generations

Inputs: Farm Bureau personnel time, specialist time

Date: November 2019


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Farm Marketing Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Grain and livestock marketing

Inputs: UK specialist time

Date: January 2020




Success Stories

Education Efforts to Facilitate the Federal Farm Bill

Author: Gregory Drake

Major Program: Farm Management

The Agriculture Act of 2018 provides a safety net for many of our county’s farmers.  The Cooperative Extension Service was charged with educating producers about their participation in the federal safety net programs.  Past farm bills have allowed or instructed USDA staff to assist participants in participating in these federal farm bill programs.   Under the law signed by President Trump in 2018 producers were directed to Cooperative Extension for assistance.   Part of

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