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HUSKER AG SMARTS: STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT ABILITIES, RESPONSIVENESS, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

Extension Education

Brian Strauch
Extension Educator
McCOOK

Abstract

\r\n Husker Ag SMARTS (H.A.S.) is a six day business management program empowering producers to strengthen management abilities, increase responsiveness to business challenges, and build technical skills through the learning and practice of management concepts.  Economic uncertainty and market place instability have increased the risk agricultural producers face.  To safely circumnavigate these challenges and assure sustainability and prosperity, producers must increase their understanding of risk and improve their business skills.  H.A.S. participants gain skills and knowledge in strategic planning, financial competency, risk management, and succession planning through the use of interactive discussions, case study analysis, computer-based learning tools, hands on training, and networking with successful farm business owners.  As a result, participants utilize business planning concepts to position their farm/ranch operation to achieve success, use financial management principles to measure progress through financial benchmarking and analysis, use risk management strategies to ensure the sustainability of their operation, and utilize the knowledge gained about legal aspects and challenges of human resources and succession planning to manage their risk.  Producers who attended H.A.S. have begun to manage financial risks through strategic business plan development, legal risk through the use of contracts and leases, and human risks with enhanced communication and succession/estate plan development.  In its first two years, H.A.S. reached 26 producers representing 92,259 acres and 6,710 beef animals with an estimated value of $10 per acre, resulting in a total impact of $922,590.  These results indicate efforts should be undertaken to expand programming to producers in the state and beyond.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: B.A. Strauch, J.G. Jones, R.D. Saner, T.L. Holman, J.W. Schneider, M.C. Stockton, R.C. Tigner, T.M. Walz
  1. Strauch, B. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69001
  2. Jones, J. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68450
  3. Saner, R. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69101
  4. Holman, T. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69361
  5. Schneider, J. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68818
  6. Stockton, M. Extension Agricultural Economist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69101
  7. Tigner, R. Extension Educator, Unviersity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 69033
  8. Walz, T. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, 68822