Project Overview
This project addressed risks associated with a lack of basic business management skills such as accurate accounting, cost of production monitoring, financial analysis and sound investment strategies in small and limited resource farmers. A total of 100 Pennsylvania-based Plain Sect (e.g. Amish, Mennonite) dairy producers attended small group workshops on basic business management skills over a two year period. While overall attendance of workshops met the goals of the program, only 15 producers actually completed the entire program. At the end of two years, participating producers reported improved ability to track and evaluate the financial performance of their business with all making significant management changes to improve herd performance. Three major findings of this project were: 1) milk price fluctuation significantly changed farm profitability, 2) all participants showed excellent cost control skills, and 3) all participants rented their farming operations, which lead to greater than anticipated profitability. Future projects of this nature should focus on recruitment efforts to ensure greater completion rates for the program.
Number of Participants: 100
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
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