NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 4, 1999
George Flaskerud, Extension Crops Economist
NDSU Extension Service
Twenty to 25 marketing clubs are being organized across the state by the North Dakota State University Extension Service and the North Dakota Farm Business Management (FBM) program. Formation of the clubs is being made possible by funds approved by the state's lawmakers during the 1999 Legislative Session.
A key feature of the marketing clubs is the educational program. Marketing and other risk management concepts will be covered in small amounts at meetings held usually once or twice a month. Concepts will be covered when relevant to what is happening in the market place. For example, the basis and seasonal price patterns for wheat would be carefully examined in November when sales are usually attractive.
The educational program will be presented by a marketing instructor who may be the FBM instructor or an extension agent. Outside speakers may be brought in. The club may also hire a marketing instructor for all or a portion of the educational program.
Many of the organizational details will be handled by facilitators who must be a FBM instructor and/or extension agent. The facilitators underwent four days of in-depth training during September in preparation for the marketing clubs.
A marketing club leader will be elected by each club and will preside over meetings, get members involved and keep them informed. The marketing clubs will generally be made up of 10 to 20 producers. The members will monitor the markets and learn to evaluate various marketing strategies. The members will learn from each other's experience, the educational program and simulated marketing strategies.
To join a club near you, contact your local county extension agent or FBM instructor for names of facilitators and club locations. Clubs are being organized in or near the counties of Adams, Barnes, Bottineau, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Divide, Eddy, Fort Berthold, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Griggs, Hettinger, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Stark, Stutsman and Ward.
Some clubs will operate without state funds because there are only funds available for 20, although all clubs will be linked through the Internet. I am compiling a list of other clubs that are already operating and will make this list available at a later time. A sharing of marketing and other risk management information among the clubs via the Internet will be encouraged.
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Source: George Flaskerud (701) 231-7377
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136