Farmers & Ranchers College Returns Dec. 14
David Kohl, agricultural economics professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, will present the first of four programs in the 2016-17 Farmers and Ranchers College.
Kohl, who received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural economics from Cornell University, for 25 years was professor of agricultural finance and small business management and entrepreneurship in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech.
As facilitator of the United States Farm Financial Standards Task Force and member of the Canadian Agricultural Financial Standards Task Force, Kohl was a leader in establishing guidelines for the standardized reporting and analysis of agricultural producers' financial information on a national and international basis. Kohl's personal involvement with agriculture and interaction with key industry players have provided him with a unique perspective into the future trends of the agricultural industry and economy, insights he plans to share during his Dec. 14 presentation, Ag at the Crossroads.
The Farmers and Ranchers College was formed in January 2000 to provide high quality, dynamic, up-to-date educational workshops for agricultural producers in south central Nebraska through a collaborative effort among business, industry and higher education leaders. The programs provide tools to help agricultural producers respond positively to these changes using a profitable decision-making process.
2016-17 Program Schedule
December 14 — Agriculture at the Crossroads with David Kohl, professor emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech University, at the Opera House in Bruning from 1-4 p.m.
January 31 — Partners In Progress Beef Seminar Cow/Calf College at the US Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Registration at 9:30 a.m.
February 22 — Managing for Difficult Times (Cutting Costs Without Cutting Yields) at Fillmore County Fairgrounds, Geneva from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration at 9 a.m.
February 27 — Tips and Tricks for the Women of Agriculture at Lazy Horse Winery near Ohiowa. Registration at 5:45 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m.
Please note: Programs are free; however, preregistration for the January and February events is appreciated to provide for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore County Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 one week prior to the program to reserve your spot.
Approximately 400 producers managing over 215,000 acres participated in the 2015-16 Farmers & Ranchers College programs. Participants surveyed indicated an average of $15/acre of knowledge gained from participating for a potential impact of $3 million.
The 15th annual Partners in Progress Beef Seminar featured a variety of representatives from industry, the university, and agricultural organizations. Participants managed over 10,000 head of cattle and indicated that on average the information presented would increase their profitability $17.80/head with a total potential impact of over $180,000.
Contributions and support from area businesses cover the cost of registrations, but not meals.
The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Jennifer Engle of Fairmont, Ryne Norton of York, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Eric Kamler of Geneva, and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.
Online Master of Science in Agronomy
With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals.
