 Technology At Its Best
Extension helps farmers improve
record-keeping skills.
by Jennifer Thornton
The size of farms
in Tennessee, as in most states, has increased in recent years, while the
number has slowly declined. The key to farm survival in the 1990s is better
management, says Dr. Delton Gerloff, UT Extension specialist in agricultural
economics, and UT's Extension Service has just the educational program to
assist farm families in developing better management strategies.
In a grassroots survey, farm families told Extension educators
they needed help in financial record-keeping and management. To meet this
need, the Management and Marketing Priority program was developed. From
this program, a two-day workshop titled "Using Computers to Manage
the Modern Farm" was created.
With the help of Extension agents and area farm management
specialists, these workshops are helping Tennessee farm families discover
how to upgrade their financial record-keeping skills, thereby leading to
improved decision making skills. Participants came from farms that averaged
502 acres and were operated by producers ranging in age from 28 to 86, with
the average age being 50.2 years.
The main point of the workshops, said Gerloff, is to show
farm families how they can use their financial information to increase the
profitability of the farm business.
"Farms utilize these records to generate reports that
make financial management more efficient," Gerloff explained, adding
that the ability to create their own financial reports helps farm families
make better financial decisions.
Financial reports can show which farm enterprises are the
most profitable. For example, in the workshops farm families learn how to
separate costs and income among several farm enterprises. This information
is not available from records kept solely for income tax purposes.
In the past two-and-a-half years, 102 two-day workshops
have been held throughout Tennessee, reaching over 1,000 people. Farm families
are notified about the workshops by Extension agents through personal contacts,
mailing lists, and newsletters.
Family members are encouraged to attend the workshops together.
Ten computers are available for hands-on instruction. "In terms of
computer knowledge or training, there are no prerequisites," Gerloff
acknowledged. "Some are well-versed, and others have never sat in front
of a computer."
The workshops last four to five hours each day. On the
first day, participants learn basic computer keyboarding skills. They gain
hands-on experience the next day by entering four to five months of financial
records into the computer. These records consists of checks and deposit
slips from an example case study farm, developed for the area of the state
in which the workshop is held. "Using sample checks and deposit slips
adds realism to the process and helps participants to relate the workshop
to their own farm business," Gerloff pointed out.
At least two area specialists in farm management teach
the two-day sessions.
In addition to improving financial management on farms,
the workshops also show families how they can track income and cash expenses
for income tax purposes.
"Evaluations and follow-up surveys clearly indicate
that the workshops have been extremely well received," Gerloff said.
In a recent survey, 99 percent of participants said the workshops had been
worthwhile and that they would recommend them to a friend. "The families
are excited about the opportunity to receive this training," he added.
An advanced workshop will soon be available. "We've
aimed the advanced sessions at those who already have been through the basic
program," Gerloff said. "This will further enhance financial management
for Tennessee farm families."
For more information, call your county Extension office. |