Discover keys to improving your farm business at MI Ag Ideas to Grow With
Print
EmailOperating a farm business encompasses more than just production practices.
It takes a knowledgeable farm manager to make their farm business profitable and sustainable through the ups and downs that a career in agriculture can experience. Sustainability starts with understanding of the farm’s business performance and how to use that knowledge to improve decision-making.
The 2022 MI Ag Ideas to Grow With Conference will host a month long educational series encompassing many aspects of the agricultural industry. These sessions are designed for farmers and homeowners interested in food production and those considering agricultural endeavors. For those looking to increase their business skills and knowledge, a farm business track of topics will be part of this year’s conference sessions.
Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Financial Recordkeeping 101
Join Michigan State University Extension educator Florencia Colella as she discusses the basics of accounting, looking at various farm recordkeeping systems, and getting ready to set up your own system according to your needs.
Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
2022 Crop Insurance Decisions – How to Protect Your Crop Investment?
Prices for many farm inputs are at all-time highs heading into this year’s planting season. The number one question grain producers need to answer is, “how best can you protect the heightened investment in your crops?” MSU Extension educator Jon LaPorte will review the basics of insurance policies of yield and revenue protection for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Optimizing insurance strategies and supplemental options that can be added on to base policies will also be discussed.
Tuesday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Farm Budgets, Planning Now for Profits
Jon LaPorte will also discuss how farm managers can use the latest industry benchmark data to make well-informed decisions. This session will feature finding the cost of production for your farm, IRS vs. production year records, how to use industry benchmarks to identify improvement areas, and why paying attention to details are a must in a farm business.
Thursday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m.
Crop rotation trends in Michigan
Michigan is uniquely positioned to support a diverse mix of crop rotations. Using satellite data made available by the USDA, MSU assistant professor Matt Gammans will explore trends in crop mix and rotation history across Michigan over the past twenty years. Combining these trends with data on crop and input prices, he’ll offer a few thoughts on what the future might hold. Matt will also discuss how crop rotation decisions might be affected by USDA insurance and environmental program policy.
Tuesday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Financial Record Keeping Doesn’t Have to be so Hard
Is it possible to keep your financial records system simple when farming can be so complicated? In this session, MSU Extension educator Corey Clark will discuss strategies for handling your farm’s financial records to maximize their usefulness while minimizing the time and stress involved in keeping them.
Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Food and Agriculture Workforce Development
The talent crisis is in full effect for the food and agriculture industry. Ashley Batteen, Recruitment, Professional Development and DEI Officer for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), will discuss how to build your strategy as an employer and prepare to hire and retain talent in your organization.
Thursday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Moving the Conversation from ‘Can we grow it?’ to ‘Should we grow it?’
Michigan’s diverse mix of crops offer many growing options that might be a profitable venture for farmers. MSU assistant professor Trey Malone will discuss key aspects in agricultural marketing and how to weigh through how producers can start to answer the question of “what should we grow?” Joining Trey will be MSU Extension educator Steve Miller to provide a look at economic impacts of agriculture at the state, regional, and local levels.
The 2022 MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference will be held virtually, February 28-March 31, 2022. It will be a cumulative month-long program encompassing many aspects of the agricultural industry and offering a full array of educational sessions for farmers and homeowners interested in food production and those considering agricultural endeavors. While there is no cost to participate, attendees must register in order to receive the necessary zoom links. Attendees are able to attend as many sessions as they would like and are also able to jump around between tracks. RUP and CCA credits will be offered for several of the sessions. More information can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/miagideas/
