November 21, 2002

Farmers and Ranchers Sought for Involvement in NDSU Farm Management Class

North Dakota State University students are looking for a few good farmers.

As part of an advanced farm management course, students will work with about 10 farmers and ranchers in North Dakota and Minnesota to develop integrated farm business plans, says Eric DeVuyst, assistant professor of agribusiness and applied economics and instructor for the course.

"Cooperating farmers will come away from this with an extensive analysis of their farm operation that will allow them to see where they stand relative to peer groups and the industry," DeVuyst says. "They’ll also have a long range business plan for the next three to five years that encompasses production, financing and marketing."

DeVuyst says potential cooperators should be located within 150 miles of Fargo and have basic records including balance sheets and income statements. "Farms can be large or small, financially strong or struggling. A diversity of farm types and financial condition will give students a broader base of experiences," he says.

In order to participate, a farmer’s production and financial records need to be made available to the students. Those records will be kept confidential, DeVuyst says. Participating producers will need to be available to meet with the student team one or two times during the semester to answer student questions about records and goals.

A team of two to four students will evaluate a farm and suggest management opportunities to improve long-term viability. Each participating farmer will receive the final report of the student team which will include: detailed production analysis, a five-year production, marketing and financial plan, and recommendations.

To participate in the project, contact DeVuyst at (701) 231-7466 or edevuyst@ndsuext.nodak.edu by Jan. 6.

This is the fourth year that farmer cooperators have been involved in the course. "The last three years, both the farmers and the students found this to be an educational and enjoyable experience and many producers expressed interest in being involved in future classes," DeVuyst says.

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Source: Eric DeVuyst, (701) 231-7466, edevuyst@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu