by Sam Custer
According to AgWeek, “the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that the number of farmers ages 25 to 34 is growing nationwide. That’s the result of strong crop prices from 2007 to 2013, which generated higher farm income and gave young would-be farmers a better chance to support themselves and their families.
Young farmers and ranchers, for their part, say they’re not being handed anything and that they face major financial challenges. The strong crop prices that encouraged young farmers to get started are gone — corn, which once sold for as much $8 per bushel, brings about $3.50 per bushel now — but land prices, which soared during the boom years, haven’t come down.”
OSU Extension will be partnering with Farm Credit Mid-America to hold a Farm Management School this winter to address this need from the agriculture community. The series will teach young, beginning and small business farmers about finances, business plans and how to make their operation successful.
What we will cover:
1/5 – Making Record Keeping Do More Than the Tax Return
- Developing Your Balance Sheet
1/12 – What Is the Mission of Your Farming Operation
- Basics of Finance
1/19 – Developing Your Business Plan
1/26 – Farm Transition Planning
2/2 – Ag Law 101
Presenters for the series will include Bruce Clevenger, Eric Richer, Dianne Shoemaker, Peggy Hall and Sam Custer from Ohio State University Extension. Jeff Roeth from Farm Credit Mid-America will also be a presenter.
OSU Extension, Darke County would like to thank our sponsor Farm Credit Mid-America for their support in holding this program.
PRE-REGISTRATION AND PRE-PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED. Download the full flyer and registration at http://go.osu.edu/darkefarmmanagementschool. $50 per person. Registration deadline is December 27, 2016. Registration includes snacks and materials. Make checks payable to Ohio State University Extension. Mail to OSU Extension, Darke County, 603 Wagner Ave, Greenville, Ohio 45331.
For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.