Farm Risk Ma nagement Inservice Programs in the
Northeast
Wesley N. Musser, University of
Maryland
H. Don Tilmon, University of Delaware
Farm Management Extension in
the Northeast
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Number of Specialists Declining
Some New England States Have None
Larger Role for County and Regional
Personnel
Need for In-services
Most States Can Not Provide
Comprehensive Programs
Regional In-services
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Northeast Farm Management Extension
Committee In-sevices
Held Throughout Northeast Region
Intent Was to Provide Training for All
Extension Personnel in the Northeast
Summer 1999 and 2003
Objectives of This Presentation
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Introduce Content and Organization:
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Organization
Planning
Agenda and Speakers
Funding
Horticultural Risk Management
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All States Have Hort Enterprises
Several Specialists Have Expertise
Provide Coverage in Northeast, Virginia,
and North Carolina (Eastern Corn Belt)
Sites were Batavia NY, Springfield MA,
Lancaster PA, Hagarstown MD, and
Richmond VA (Fort Wayne IN)
Publicity through Ag Program Leaders
Notebooks for Paricipants
Choice of Site
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State Specialists Recommended Local
Extension Contacts for Recommendations
for Sites
Motels Used Regularly for Extension
Meetings
Facilitated Out-of State Arrangements
Topics
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Horticulture in the Northeast: Challenges
and Opportunities
Willingness to Assume Risk
Developing a Strategic Marketing Plan
(Fruit)
Why Should I Buy Crop Insurance?
Legal Risk
Fruit Irrigation
Topics, Continued
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Apple Crop Insurance
Seasonal Labor Risk
Risk in Ornamentals (Finance)
Crop Insurance for Nursery Crops
Risk in Vegetables (Production)
Coverage of All Hort Commodities and Five
Major Sources of Risk
Presenters
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Gerald White, Cornell, 1, 3, & 6
Wesley Musser, Maryland, 2 & 8
Robin Brumfield, Rutgers, 9
Jay Harper, Penn State, 11
Ted Feitshan, NC State, video, 5
RMA Representatives, 4, 7, & 10
Don Tilmon, Delaware, Coordinator
Timing
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June
Began at 10AM
Ended at 12AM the Next Day
Travel AM First Day and PM Second Day
Two Days for Most Local Participants
Only One Night Lodging
Did Immerse Participants in Subject
Specialists’ Travel
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NY Site Thursday and Friday with Travel on Wed.
for Some
MA Site Next Tuesday and Wednesday and PA
Site Thursday and Friday
MD Site Next Tuesday and Wednesday and VA
Site Thursday and Friday
Travel on Monday, Wed. and Friday Second Two
Weeks
Only Three Weeks Devoted to Project
Planning Meetings with RMA Conference
Funding
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Participants Paid Minimal Travel Costs
Grants for Specialists’ Travel, Notebooks,
On-Site Costs
Grants from RMA, CSREES, and Farm
Foundation
Agricultural Risk and Business
Management In-Service, 2003
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Same Organization and Timing
CD and Notebook to Participants
Grant from Northeast Center for Risk
Management Education at UDE
Confined to NE
Wesley Musser, Coordinator
Planning Meeting in Baltimore, 9/02
Sites and Dates
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(1)
(2)
20
(3)
(4)
(5)
Lake Morey, Vermont - August 14-15
Morgantown, West Virginia, August 19Erie, Pennsylvania, August 21-22
Albany, New York, August 26-27
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, August 28-29.
Agenda and Speakers
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1. Introduction: Risks Farmers Face – Wesley N.
Musser, University of Maryland
2. Introduction: Why Business Planning? – Jerry
White, Cornell University
3. Enterprise Analysis – Jayson Harper, Penn
State University
4. Cost Accounting – Robin Brumfield, Rutgers
University
5. Financial Statements – Bob Parsons,
University of Vermont
Agenda and Speakers, Continued
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6. Benchmark Analysis – Jerry White, Cornell
University
7. Market Access – Wen-fei Uva/Brian Henehan,
Cornell University
8. Human Resources and Risk – Wesley Musser,
University of Maryland
9. Estate Planning and Asset Transfer – Mike
Sciabarrasi, University of New Hampshire
10. Federal Programs Update – Don Tilmon,
University of Delaware
Summary: Logic of Regional Inservices
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Many States Do Not Have Personnel for
Comprehensive Programs
Extension Personnel Obtain Training from
Specialists Throughout Region
Specialists Had Diverse Interests and
Knowledge
Summary: Key Features of
Workshops
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Workshops Throughout Region
Sites Chosen By Local Extension
Held in Summer
Travel and Workshop in Two Days
Tuesday-Friday Schedule for Three Weeks
Notebook and CD
Summary: Importance of Risk
Management Funding
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On-site Costs Covered
Travel for Specialists
Handouts for Participants
Other Grants if Funds Not Available
Summary: Value for Specialists
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Farm Management Committee Had No
Meetings Since Farm Foundation Support
Ended
Committee Largely for Information
Exchange
In-services Created Community of Interest
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Learn Expertise and Strengths of Colleagues
Built Personal Relationships
Facilitated Other Collaborative Relationships
Summary: Adaptation to Other
Regions
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Content and/or Organization
Larger Regions
More Sessions or Longer Travel for
Participants
One Day Program if More Sessions—
Specialist Travel Time?
More Funding for Participant Travel
NE Committee Members Can Provide More
Detailed Information