Farm Management Workshop a Success in Geneva County

On a hot, drought-stricken Saturday in August, 65 farmers and interested others from surrounding counties and the states of Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama attended a Farm Management and Agribusiness Workshop in Geneva County. The workshop helped farmers learn financial management skills to develop and manage a successful farm enterprise.

North-South Institute, Inc. (NSI) conducted the one-day event on August 18, 2007, at the Geneva County Farm Center. The workshop was designed to help Southeast farmers withstand risk in farming by analyzing financial pictures and making wise business decisions. The farmers received technical assistance with hands-on activities in farm planning, financial risk management, business templates and tools for efficient farm and financial record keeping, enterprise budgeting and cost production, cash flow planning and management, alternative marketing, conservation programs, etc.

The Geneva County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) representatives participated in the program and presented information on federal and state cost-share programs.

NSI Representative Dr. Sam Scott said, "It is a pleasure, to partner with NRCS DC James Currington and Geneva County SWCD staff David Avery and Janie B. Howell to conduct this workshop. We want to provide management information to farmers to allow them to incorporate conservation principles, as well as farm management principles, to develop a profitable farm."

The meeting was a joint effort of the North-South Institute, Inc., partnering with USDA Risk Management Agency, FSA, AG Marketing Service and RD. The Geneva County NRCS/SWCD and the Wiregrass Farmers Coop helped present the Workshop.

The NSI annual regional symposium will be held in Davies, Florida, in January 2008. People from 10 southern states and various international countries are expected to attend. The public is invited.

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