Author: Michelle Simon
Planning Unit: Campbell County CES
Major Program: Farm Management
Plan of Work: Improving Economics & Sustainability of Agriculture & Farm Management
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Boone County has continued to experience an increase in land values over the last five years as a result of the increased urban development and a decrease in available farm land. This elevation in prices has made it difficult for young and beginning farmers to firstly, obtain land, and secondly, make their farming operations profitable. The Boone County Agriculture Advisory Committee identified the need for a program providing business related information for new and beginning farmers as a top priority in the current economic times. Boone County ANR Agent responded to this need by developing the Farm Start: Farm Business Management School curriculum in a new virtual format due to the unforeseen challenges of covid-19. This seven session school was developed with the need for building a successful business foundation in mind and providing clientele the resources and information they would need to be successful. The sessions included business planning in regards to identifying your mission and goals, finances and lending, farm enterprise budgeting and profitability, agriculture law and farm insurance policies, ag water quality planning, soil science, marketing farm products, and farm equipment and facilities. All of these sessions were provided to participants via youtube links with the option to participate in a conference call, zoom meeting, or email if they had further questions on any of the topics. Originally, there were eleven participants registered for the program and once the format was offered virtually, the participant numbers more than doubled to twenty-seven participants. Participants were surveyed following the last session and 100% viewed all seven of the sessions and stated they have changed the way they budget for equipment maintenance, have increased their online presence and are prepared to make sound financial decisions for the farm as a result of the program.
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