Transcript Ag Decisions~ Tying the Pieces Together

Ag ~ Decisions
Tying the Pieces Together
FALL 2008 TO FALL 2009
Know the Audience
 Bowman & Slope Counties in SW North Dakota
 Bowman County Population 3101
Average age of producers is 57.2
 Average farm size is 2,042 acres
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Slope County Population 650
Average age of producer is 58.3
 Average farm size is 3,231 acres
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Average operation is small grains and livestock with supplemental
income.
Design for Success
Identify need.
Have a marketing plan.
Make an impact.
Focus Groups
 Strive for Diversity
 Be flexible
 Let the group define their needs
 Our focus group: Ag Lenders, Annie’s
Participants, Producers
 Producer driven programs have the greatest
potential for success
Identifying Program Needs
Planning Meeting
Establishing Partners
Build on Existing Programs
Use multiple teaching methods
The Marketing Club Strategy
 Our goal was for
the same group to
meet regularly
on different risk
management
topics.
Marketing for Success
It’s all in the name.
Multi media outlets.
Word of mouth.
Its ok to be different.
Making it Happen
The scheduling game.
Use multiple forms of delivery.
Build on other successful
programs.
Topics Covered
 Estate Planning and Farm Transfer
 Family Business Communication
 Rangeland Management
 Global Economics & Marketing
 Speaking Up for Ag
 Management Strategies to Decrease
Fertilizer Costs.
What makes a program successful?
 Number in Attendance?
 Information Learned?
 Are producers better prepared to
manage risk?
Evaluations
Follow up programs
Pictures
Challenges
Weather!
Challenges
 Charging for programs?
Lesson’s Learned
Lesson’s Learned
 Different outcomes than expected.
 Audience varied.
Positive Outcomes
 214 producers reached
 Brought attention to some major
concerns
 Led to future program demands
Take the Next Step
 What’s new?
 Will it work here?
 Focus on Sustainability
 Cover
Crops
 Sage Grouse
 Increasing Diversity
Ag Decisions~Tying the Pieces Together
 Andrea
Bowman, NDSU Bowman County
Extension Service
[email protected] 701-523-5271
 Camie Janikowski, Bowman Slope Soil
Conservation District
 [email protected]
701-523-3871