AMES
Agricultural
Management
E-School
On-line learning to help you manage better.
Learn Conveniently
• Anytime
• Anywhere
• Any Pace
• Over the World Wide Web
• www.extension.iastate.edu/ames
AMES Courses
• Advanced Grain Marketing
• Financial Decision Making
• Farmland Ownership
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Farm Leasing Agreements
Farm Machinery Economics
Strategic Planning
Livestock Marketing
Human Resource Management
Instructional Elements
for Each Module
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Title
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Authors and reviewers
Overview and outline •
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Content
Summary of key points •
Quiz
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Answers to quiz
Exercises or case
studies
Completed examples
Related software
References for further
study
Related websites and
links
w.Mizzou
Bottoms
Advanced Grain Marketing Modules
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Marketing Plan Framework
Weather and Agronomic Considerations
When Should I Market My Grain?
Financial Risk
Cash Marketing Tools
Crop Insurance Alternatives
Hedging with Futures
Risk Analysis Tools
Options Market Tools
Use of Outlook Information
Print and Go
Quiz
Discussions
Chat with open window
Glossary
Winter 2002 AGM Course
• 150 students self-enrolled
–66 Iowa counties
–9 other states
• 142 students accessed the
course
• 6 Chats Held
• >75 Discussion postings
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Evaluation:
Advanced Grain Marketing
Usefulness: 2.81 out of 3.00
Clarity: 2.81 out of 3.00
Length of modules: 93% said “about right”
68% completed all 10 modules
67% completed all the exercises
41% had some technical problems
47% participated in a group chat session
87% developed a marketing plan on paper
96% would recommend the course to a friend
80% thought $100 fee was about right
Enrollment to Date
• Advanced Grain Marketing—240
• Financial Decision Making—40
• Farmland Ownership—15
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Financial Decision Making
Introduction to Financial Decision Making
Developing Financial Statements
Analyzing Financial Statements
Relating Financial Analysis to Production
Records
Financial Trouble Shooting
Three Case Studies
12 Steps to Cash Flow Budgeting
Cash Management
Financing Capital Assets
Farmland Ownership
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Land Value Trends
Using Soils Information
Appraisal Techniques
Financing Considerations
Feasibility of a Land Purchase
Personnel Involved
• Co-leaders
– William Edwards, extension economist
– Tim Eggers, SW Iowa farm management
specialist
• Content developers
– Campus Extension specialists
– Extension field specialists
• Marketing: Extension Communications
• Technical: Instructional Technology Center
• Manager: Julie O’Hara
AMES Resources
• Block grant from Risk Management
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Agency, USDA for $9,000
Competitive grant from RMA,
$40,000
User fees, $100 per course
Extension staff time
One hired manager (hourly)
AMES Marketing
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Brochures and bookmarks
Radio interviews
Mass mailings
Mass media
Extension meetings
Links from other web sites
Other institutions (FSA, Farm Credit)
Obstacles
• Staff time for course development
• “Bulletin” mentality
• User fees
• Slow Internet connections
Goals for 2003
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Complete 5 more courses
Evaluate 3 existing courses
Review and revise existing courses
Create a resource library for each
course
• Improve marketing efforts
• Coordinate with other institutions
Questions?