AgSouth Offers Free Training to Young and Beginning Farmers

CARROLLTON, Ga. - Sept. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- On Friday, August 28, 2015, AgSouth Farm Credit led a group of approximately 45 young, beginning, and small (YBS) farmers through a series of training aimed at educating them in the many aspects of running a successful agricultural operation.

The national award-winning AGAware® Program was created by AgSouth’s Education, Outreach & Special Programs Manager Van McCall. According to McCall, “The Farm Credit System has a historic mission to serve U.S. agriculture and rural America. In support of that mission, AgSouth Farm Credit is a leader in providing credit to young, beginning, small and minority farmers in our territory. Our hope is that our council along with the support of other key agricultural entities will help ensure that future farmers will be prepared and strong financially so they may continue doing what it is they love.”

Speakers for the training included AgSouth’s Van McCall, Jennifer Douglas, Katie Morris, and Lauren O’Bryan. Other speakers included Rita D. Brooks, Farm Loan Manager for the USDA/Farm Service Agency, and Matthew Kulinski, Deputy Director of Marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Topics for the training include: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Family Finance & Family Budgeting, Risk Management, Accrual Income, Applying for Financing, Preparing a Business Plan, Technology & Record Keeping, Marketing Assistance Available through the Department of Agriculture, FSA/SBA and Other Programs. Applications for scholarships for future education through Farm Credit University will be available to graduates of these workshops as well.  The Ag Aware Educational Program is now certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit.

The training is open to anyone in the association’s territory who wishes to develop a better understanding of how to run a successful ag operation. More than 550 have graduated from the program since its inception in 2012. To register for future training or to find out about bringing the training to your group, contact Van McCall at VMcCall@AgSouthFC.com.