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Attend AgBiz Professionals to Drive Your Operation's Success

December 11, 2012

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In today’s ever-changing business environment, it’s never been more important to stay educated on issues affecting your farm operation. AgBiz Professionals is a learning series that focuses on business management skills for established farmers.

AgBiz Professionals workshops take a hands-on approach, helping agricultural business owners and operators learn and apply concepts to their individual farm operations. The program is conducted in live seminar format with multiple locations linked by videoconference.

Upcoming AgBiz Professionals workshops include:

• Farm & Family Transitions workshop (NEW) – Wednesday, January 9, 2013

  Farm transitions can be a challenge for any family. Attend this workshop to learn steps to a successful leadership transition, farm transition strategies and structures as well as hear from a family that recently completed a transition. Featured speakers include Mike McGrann from the Center for Family Business and Keith Dickinson from Penn State Extension.

• Managing People in Agriculture workshop – Thursday, February 21, 2013

  The success of your farm business depends on the people involved. You will learn skills to build a more engaged and productive workforce. This workshop will feature Dr. Robert Milligan, professor emeritus from Cornell University, and Dr. Rich Stup, AgChoice’s director of business management services. Real-life case studies will be used to simulate managing people on today’s farming operations.

• Financial Leadership workshop – Monday, March 11, 2013

  Looking for ideas on how to manage your finances more effectively? This must-attend workshop will feature Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus with Virginia Tech, discussing the importance of financial leadership and tools of the trade. AgChoice’s Ag Business Consultant Mike Hosterman will then lead the group through case studies and discussions on financial analysis, benchmarking and budgeting.

• Profit Protection Series (NEW) – Friday, February 15, 2013 & Thursday, February 28, 2013 (plus an additional local follow-up session to be held during the week of March 18)

  Your farm’s profitability is impacted by many factors, from the volatility in markets to unknown weather conditions. This new three-day series is designed to help you better understand how to manage risks on your operation. On February 15, Dr. Laurence Crane of National Crop Insurance Services will share his insight on today’s risk factors. Participants will complete a risk assessment and a panel of presenters will share stories about managing risk on their operations. February 28 will include a hands-on workshop where participants will calculate their individual costs of production and learn strategies to use that information. A third, informal follow-up session will be held during the week of March 18 at the participants’ convenience.

Workshop locations will include AgChoice Farm Credit offices in Chambersburg, Curryville, Lewisburg, Lewistown, Meadville, New Stanton, Towanda and York, and the Penn State Extension office in Lancaster. All workshops will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

AgBiz Professionals is an exceptional value at $75 per workshop. The new Profit Protection Series is being offered at a special rate of $75 for all three workshops. Your registration for any workshop covers up to two people from your farm business, so you are encouraged to participate with your spouse or business partner. Registration closes 10 days prior to each workshop.

To learn more about AgBiz Professionals and to register for one or more of the upcoming workshops, visit www.AgBizProfessionals.com or call 800-349-3568 ext. 6016.

AgBiz Professionals is offered by a network of agricultural organizations. This year’s program is supported by grant funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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