Lakeshore and Moraine Park Technical Colleges have been providing continuing education for adult agricultural producers for nearly 40 years. The Farm Business and Production Management Program provides training to emerging managers and seasoned producers in five different areas of continuing education. A mainstay in Wisconsin agriculture, the program supports Wisconsin's largest industry - AGRCULTURE. Each year one of five individual courses is offered. The focus this fall/winter will include discussion regarding the Milk Margin Program, Livestock Gross Margin Insurance and other programs associated with the new Farm Bill. Other topics will include land rental agreements, balance sheet preparation, implementing a solid financial plan, building crop and livestock budgets and additional discussions on mobile applications for smart phones that are of potential importance to agricultural producers and agribusiness personnel. The new program starts in late October and runs through the end of June 2015.

As our farms in eastern Wisconsin have grown, so has the complexity of the management of these agricultural enterprises. Today, the work does not require the long physically demanding hours but it now requires a high degree of intellectual knowledge in addition to practical experience. Staffing today's farms requiring professional employees with computer skills, mechanical ability, an understanding of livestock physiology, skills with people management, and a full understanding of business management. In the future, opportunities in agriculture will certainly attract some of the best minds. These jobs range from $30,000 to over $75,000 per year. How many jobs in eastern Wisconsin pay in that range? Our youth will not have to leave their homes to seek great employment opportunities outside of the state.

Participants range in age from 18 to their later 50's with an average age of 30+. Both men and women participate. Enrolling students are employees on large dairies, many are the sons and daughters of the owners of their businesses, some are from Hispanic backgrounds and some are agriculture business professionals. The average size for those operating dairy farms in the program is just over 300 cows and 500 acres.

Because the program is delivered in a variety of methods; participants tend to stay involved for many years. With the rapid change in technology, continuing education becomes a must if an agricultural company is to remain viable from one generation to another. The discussion groups meet at several venues in rural communities. Farm tours are also part of the way the program is conducted. The classroom sessions are discussion based and focus on the challenges faced on today's farms. Classes meet ten times through the winter months or about every other week at the Boltonville Fire Station, Regional DRR office in Plymouth, Moraine Park Campus in Fond du Lac and the Pizza Ranch in Waupun. The class time is a combination of lecture, discussion, problem solving and application of what has been delivered.

For those enrolled in the 2014-15 Farm Financial Management program, the Advanced Crops Class is also a part of the enrollment. Those enrolling in the Advanced Crops Class should have completed the Farm Business Crops Course or have approximately 10 years of experience. This course will meet at the Greenbush Community Hall and Fire Station with one session to be held at the Charles Hammer farm at Beaver Dam. Registration can be made for the Advanced Crops Course separate from the full Farm Business Financial Management Program.

For information about these courses call Greg Booher at 920-960-0551 or email greg.booher@gotoltc.edu. Manitowoc area interested persons can contact Gary Sellen at gary.sellen@yahoo.com or phone (920) 948-2343.
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10.7.2014