Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
12/12/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Tim Eggers, Agricultural Economics, (712) 542-5171, teggers@iastate.edu
Catherine Hunt, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-1039,
cathi@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Farmers Develop Grain Marketing Plans after Taking Online Course
AMES, Iowa - The majority of farmers who take the "Advanced Grain Marketing" course from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension develop written marketing plans for their crops. This is an important exercise that can result in better economic returns said Tim Eggers, ISU Extension field ag economist, and one of the course developers. "We surveyed 142 people who took the Advanced Grain Marketing course," said Eggers, "Of those who responded to the survey, 87 percent said they had developed written marketing plans for their crops."
The course is available completely online, and helps farmers learn to use marketing tools to protect prices and reduce risk. Ag lenders say it is becoming increasingly important for producers to use grain marketing plans. However, many farmers do not develop marketing plans because they think they are too complicated, too time consuming, or they do not understand the value. "It can be profitable to market your crop in the spring before you've planted it," said Wayne Johnson, a former student. "Before I took this course that was a new concept to me."
Participants can log on to attend class any time and place they have Internet access. The course has features common to the traditional face-to-face learning environment such as readings, assignments, and quizzes. However, conversations are replaced by online chats, subject matter is supplemented by links to Internet resources, and quizzes and assignments are self-graded.
ISU Extension offers many online courses and hundreds of other online resources for farmers and ag professionals. "Advanced Grain Marketing" is one of a series of online noncredit courses offered through the Ag Management e-School from Iowa State University Extension. Other A.M.E.S. course offerings include "Financial Decision Making," "Farmland Ownership," "Farm Machinery Economics," and "Farm Leasing Arrangements." More courses are being developed.
For more information about these courses visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ames.
To view course schedules and register go to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ames/registration.htm.
Farmers also have access to grain marketing resources through the Ag Decision Maker Web site at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm. This site features current ag economics information to help farmers better manage their operation or agribusiness. It includes budgeting worksheets, rental rates and land values, financial analysis, marketing information and more.
The A.M.E.S. series of courses is offered through the Iowa State University Outreach Academy, a university-wide initiative designed to provide research-based, customized education geared to professional or personal development http://www.outreachacademy.iastate.edu/.
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