Women in Ag Educational Series in Farm Management

Kim Larson and Robin Reid River Valley District

K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University

Purpose:

Format: This program is a six session course. Each session is five hours and includes a meal. The course is spread over six weeks with a different topic each week.

Class size is limited to allow for good class discussion and friendships to be built between participates.

Experts are brought in from around the state to speak and instruct on each topic.

Session one • Agricultural Advocacy • Personality Profile “True Colors”

Session two • FSA and NRCS programs • Farm Technology and Safety

Session three • Ag Marketing and Risk Management • Crop Insurance • Calculating Cost of Production

Session four • Financial Management • Quicken for Farm Record-keeping

Session five • Kansas Lease Law • Developing Equitable Farm Leases

Session six • Family Communication • Farm Succession and Estate Planning

At the last session of the program, participants invited their families to learn about the farm transition process. A banquet meal was provided where participants were given certificates of completion!

Outcomes: “I feel like I'm more informed and will be able to give more input.”

“Empowering.”

“A great group of speakers for the very informative programs.”

What was learned: - “Communication and relationships are important.” - “New tools to help prepare for meetings with our banker!” - “Ethics of lease arrangements.” - “More in-depth info on land leasing and how to start.” - “That there is so much to learn (still)!” - “Liked the computer and hands on.”

“Excellent presenters- entirely on target!” “Love it all!”

“This Women in Ag workshop and sessions are very informational.”

“Excellent food! …material is very helpful.”

How WIA will effect management decisions: - “…will make a difference…get us closer on numbers.” - “[I will] become more involved in the decision making.” - “Consider more communication to landowners.” - “I will help my husband more.” - “[I will use] these tools, as well as marketing strategies to make a

good estimate of profit and loss, etc.” - “I feel more comfortable with approaching family members on

land management in concerns to leasing.” - “[Use] new ways to do agreements.” - “More time spent and more transparency with landlord.” - “Will be using AgManager info!”

“Info from K-State allowed us to continue farming for 34 years!”

Participants in the 2014 program represented 13,035 acres of cropland, 940 acres of hay ground, and 1,140 beef animals. Changing the profitability of their operations has the potential for increased vitality of this agricultural-based area as well as more sustainable food production in Kansas.

The share of U.S. farms operated by women nearly tripled over the past three decades, from 5 percent in 1978 to 13.7 percent by 2012, according to USDA’s “Characteristics of Women Farm Operators and Their Farms”. Since 2012, the trend is certainly continuing. Whether it be from inheriting farm ground, continuing the family operation, marrying into a farm family, or a host of other reasons, women find themselves in a position that requires knowledge of managing a farm operation with little background experience or training to do so.

The Women in Agriculture educational series is designed to provide information and training on a wide variety of farm management topics that are catered directly to farm women. Participants are provided a comfortable environment where they feel free to ask questions and learn critical skills. Women with any level of experience in farm management or with any degree of farm involvement are invited to attend; there is something for everyone to learn.

The 2014 River Valley District Women in Agriculture Class

Class participants learn about financial performance measures from a local bank volunteer

The 2014 Women in Ag. planning committee was made up of

representatives from K-State Research and Extension, Kansas

Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency, The Citizen’s National

Bank, and AgMark.

2014 Sponsors included:

FORSHEE FARMS LLC David & Stacey Forshee

Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability, contact John Forshee, Director, River Valley

Extension District #4, 322 Grant Avenue, Clay Center, KS 67432. Phone 785-632-5335.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Future Classes: • Women in Ag. courses are held throughout Kansas. To

find upcoming classes, visit www.agmanager.info and click on “Women in Ag”

• Future classes in River Valley Extension District will also be posted on www.rivervalley.ksu.edu.