Butler County CES

Title:

Agriculture Economic Skills

MAP:

Improving Farm Practices

Agents Involved:

Drake

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

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:

Intermediate Outcome: Farmers gain farm management skills

Indicator: Did they gain knowledge?

Method: Paper evaluation

Timeline: March 2025

Long-term Outcome: Farmers keep good records

Indicator: Are farmers keeping better records?

Method: Interviews

Timeline: April 2025

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 2025

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: December 2025