Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
6/4/02
Contacts:
Tim Eggers, Agricultural Economics, (712) 542-5171, teggers@iastate.edu
Catherine Hunt, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-1039, cathi@iastate.edu
Iowa State University Extension Offers Online Advanced Grain Marketing
Course
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University (ISU) Extension is offering an online
grain marketing short course this summer. Designed for Midwest growers,
the Advanced Grain Marketing course covers market fundamentals, ways to
use marketing tools to protect prices and reduce risk, and developing
grain marketing plans. It is being offered June through August.
“We want Midwest farmers to understand that the country relies upon
them to produce goods, and that managing their farm is half the battle
of being successful in their business,” said Tim Eggers, ISU Extension
field ag economist.
The idea of developing a grain marketing plan has been around for some
time, but many farmers do not use such plans. Many think they are too
complicated and time consuming. However, ag lenders say it is becoming
increasingly important for producers to use grain marketing plans.
The Advanced Grain Marketing course is offered completely online and
can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This eliminates the time
and geographic constraints that have hindered farmers from taking this
type of class in the past. The course includes readings, assignments,
online dialogue, learner reflections and application of materials. The
registration deadline is July 1, 2002.
More than 140 people took the course when it was first offered last fall.
“It was challenging to be exposed to marketing tools and concepts
and then to figure them out and digest how they work,” said Wayne
Johnson, a former student.
According to Johnson, online learning allowed him to work at his own
pace and on his own time schedule. The course introduced him to the advantages
of having a marketing plan. “It is profitable to market your crop
in the spring before you’ve planted it,” said Johnson. “Before
I took this course, that was a new concept to me.”
For more information, contact Tim Eggers by phone or email at teggers@iastate.edu
or visit the Advanced Grain Marketing Web site at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/feci/AGM.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.