Help US Help You! New Survey Seeks Input From New Farm Managers

By Jonathan LaPorte

Michigan State University Extension wants your input on how to better help you develop your skills and knowledge in farm business management.  A recently released survey seeks input on improving existing content and developing new resources as part of the “Developing and Educating Managers and New Decision-makers (DEMaND)” Series. The series focuses on financial and business management strategies helpful toward growing your farm business.

Educational goals of the series include

• Increase knowledge that builds confidence in making challenging farm business decisions.
• Recognize influences of financial situations and costs of production on farm decisions.
• Identify business risks and evaluate management options to secure profits.
• Analyze farm needs and make decisions that aid the growth of the farm business.

Series Resources

The series currently offers three main types of resources: educational bulletins, webinar programs and education videos. These resources are organized based on type, subject topic area or area of production.

Educational bulletins are authored in an introduction style. Complex financial terminology and descriptions are not diluted with common phrasing but explained to provide clarity and understanding. Example decisions use financial terms to help foster knowledge gain. Webinar programs offer a combination of lectures, guest speaker panels, break-out sessions and walk through examples. Educational videos are presented in five-minute or less segments to allow focus on specific areas of learning and easier consumption of content within subject matter.