Ag Education – It’s More than Just “Farm School”

When FamilyFarms Group first got started, our members often teased about going to “farm school” because Ag education and training are such a vital part of our program. However, the Ag education FarmilyFarms group members receive is much, much more than just farm school.

No other organization offers the variety and quality of agriculture education courses that we offer. What’s more, we don’t just send our members off to an Ag education class and walk away. We help you to implement the sustainable agriculture research and education you have acquired with us through one-on-one coaching at your farm operation.

“Family Farms has helped make us better managers of our employees, and as a result, our employees are more productive, know better what to focus on, and hence are happier as well.” – Jana Cott, FamilyFarms Group member

Elite Ag Education Training Courses

The FamilyFarms Group agriculture network strives to help your family farm remain sustainable. Agriculture education courses teach you the valuable skills you need to improve your operation. Our agricultural education lesson plans include specialized training in:

• business development
• public relations
• human resources
• crop sales
• and more

Currently, 18 Ag education training classes are offered regionally on a regular basis. In addition, FamilyFarms Group offers advanced training for General Managers, Operations Managers, and Senior Financial Managers of Ag operations. This elite training is not available to farms outside of our agricultural network.  Additionally, you will gain access to a number of vendor education courses in financial management, crop planning, risk management, and other areas.

“The GM program has been the most valuable training program that we have participated in within FamilyFarms. The close networking with farms experiencing similar ‘growing pains’ has given us invaluable knowledge and confidence moving forward with our aggressive aspirations. Jeff [FamilyFarms Group GM Ag education coach] has been great at getting us to think in terms of a professional business in all aspects of our operation. We have a long way to go, but this time has been a terrific investment to ‘move the ball down the field,’ as Jeff puts it.” – FamilyFarms Group member

Exclusive Ag Education Conferences

Not only do FamilyFarms members have access to elite Ag education and training year-round, but they can also take part in two exclusive agriculture conferences each year – winter and summer. Each conference has several large-group sessions and numerous breakout sessions that focus on different areas of your farm operation. We bring in the top experts in the industry to present groundbreaking information on cutting-edge issues, such as sustainable agriculture research.

Here’s what some of our members had to say about our 2012 Winter Ag Education Conference in St. Louis, MO:

• “fantastic speakers and sessions”
• “great breakouts”
• “positive and challenging”
• “balance between education/social”
• “no other conference gets it all”
• “everyone is on the same page”
• “good quality education training”
• “best conference I have attended so far”

You don’t want to miss one of the best Ag education conferences in the country. Check out the information below on our upcoming Ag education conferences. We’d love for you to join us.

Learning the Skills for Success

When you become a member of FamilyFarms Group, we will provide the Ag education you need to develop the necessary business skills for row crop farming success. As a new member, you will complete a strategic analysis, called SWOT, which will help you better understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to your farming operation. You will also develop a professional business plan and organization charts to help you better manage your operation.

By joining FamilyFarms Group, you will gain access to extensive Ag education opportunities you won’t find anywhere else:

• Elite Ag education training courses
• One-on-one coaching
• Exclusive agriculture education conferences
• Tailored business plans
• The latest in how to remain sustainable, agriculture research, and education

FamilyFarms Group can teach you the skills for success – today and for many generations to come. Learn more about joining FamilyFarms Group and to take advantage of our exclusive Ag education opportunities.