We are accepting new pre-enrollment reservations for Year One to begin Fall 2019

The ABM Program is actively seeking new farm businesses to pre-register for the Fall 2019

• HOW
  • Contact one of the instructors by phone or email
  • Complete a class application (informational form) as soon as possible to reserve your seats
  • Formal registration forms are available in August

•  WHEN
  • We are taking enrollment information and seat reservations NOW through November
  • Please keep in mind that the classroom has limited seating

AgriBusiness Management Program (Non-Credit)
503.399.5089 or 503.589.7759

The AgriBusiness Management Program at Chemeketa Community College focuses on the basic principles of agricultural recordkeeping and financial management education.
These non-credit courses provide agricultural business education for owners, family members and key personnel, including –

• Use of recordkeeping software
• Use of spreadsheet software
• Setting goals
• Staying informed about business and farming regulations
• Understanding cost of production
• Market fluctuations
• Interpreting and learning agricultural policy
• Succession planning and resolving family transition issues
• Payroll and employee issues
• Emerging and advancing technology.

The major emphasis is on the development and maintenance of a complete set of records and the skills necessary to interpret the records and use the information to make sound agricultural business management decisions regardless of the size of the farm business. The program is designed for a minimum commitment of three years, but because of ever-changing technology, policies and practices and changes in key personnel, an agricultural business may choose to enroll for numerous years.

These classes are taught in a classroom with additional instruction at your place of business for independent instruction that is tailored to fit your needs. Distance, online and evening classes are not available at this time.

Courses for 2019-2020

Agribusiness Management YEAR 1 (Register in the fall of 2019 for the entire year)
Emphasizes setting agricultural business goals; developing a complete set of farm financial records; and analyzing those records for management decision making.

Agribusiness Management YEAR 2 (Register in the fall of 2019 for the entire year)
Monitors and assesses financial position of the agricultural business based upon records and analysis obtained in AgriBusiness Management YEAR 1. Explores computerized accounting and income tax management.

Agribusiness Management YEAR 3 (Register in the fall of 2019 for the entire year)
Focuses on reorganizing the agricultural business based on accumulated financial data. Further develops estate, retirement and labor management plans.

Agribusiness Management YEAR 4 (Not offered in 2019-2020)
Applies recordkeeping skills and three years of analysis data to farm reorganization and financial management decisions. Uses year-end analysis in evaluating effectiveness of reorganization and management practices implemented during the first three years.

Agribusiness Management YEAR 5 (Register in the fall of 2019 for the entire year)
Applies recordkeeping skills to individual businesses. Seminars scheduled and at-business training and support of record keeping, succession planning and employment policy.

1. How old is the AgriBusiness Management Program at Chemeketa Community College?

Answer: The Program was started in the fall of 1970.

 2. Does the size or type of farm matter?

Answer: No. This is a business management class.  The concepts and training provided are not directed by the size/type of farm but rather the discipline of running a business.

 3. Is it a degree program?

Answer: No. The courses are taught on a non-credit basis with the student population consisting typically of “agricultural families” and managers of family held agricultural businesses.

 4. Does that mean the Instructor helps in soliciting new students?

Answer: Yes. The Instructors are constantly seeking out new students from the agricultural community.

 5. How many individuals from the same business may participate?

Answer: The business may have more than one individual attending the class at the same time. It’s not uncommon to have situations including “husband/wife”, “sister/brother”, “niece/uncle”, “owner/bookkeeper”, or other combinations including family members and employees.

 6. How often are classes held?

Answer: Traditionally the classes are divided into two lecture groups with 11 sessions for the “Year One” and six sessions for “Years 2-5”. Optional QuickBooks and Excel technology workshops are offered for those seeking additional training. All sessions are held from October to April.

 7. Does the Program follow any specific standards in its presentation of farm accounting?

Answer: Yes. The program adheres to the criteria established by the Farm Financial Standards Council and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

 8. What does an individual expect to learn from the course?

Answer: During the first year a foundation on keeping complete farm business records is taught along with learning about cost of production, budgeting, business structures and establishing goals.

 9. What is the age of the typical student?

Answer: Typical students fall into no age group. Students range in age from their teens to their 80’s.

 10. Does all instruction occur in a campus classroom?

Answer: No. Much of the instruction occurs while meeting with families, managers and bookkeepers at their place of business; working with them on their specific financial and bookkeeping issues in a confidential environment.

 11. Is record keeping the only issue discussed?

Answer: No. The Instructors cover many topics selected for their relevancy to Oregon family farms. Additional examples include: succession planning; farm contracts; water rights; labor law; lending practices; checkbook and account reconciling; enterprise and cost of production analysis; and updates on tax planning and strategies.

 12. Do the Instructors use agricultural professionals to present a topic?

Answer: Yes. The Instructors utilize professionals from around the area such as attorneys and CPA’s to present topics that are relevant to the success of your business.

 BONUS QUESTION:  Do the instructors have farming backgrounds and experiences in agriculture?

Answer: Both instructors grew up on farms, have owned farms and have Masters Degrees in Agricultural Economics. Collectively they have experience in lending, appraisals, real estate, marketing, accounting, business management, employee management and agricultural education.

2019-20 Course Schedule & Outline AgriBusiness Management Year ONE

Contact an Instructor to sign up for YEAR ONE

Location: Chemeketa Community College, Salem Campus - Building 62, Room 101

Time: 9 am-12 pm

Note: Please schedule additional confidential on-farm assistance/training to meet your specific business needs. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Program Introduction, Overview and Goals

• Writing “Smart” goals for Personal, Family and Business – for one, five and 10 plus years
• Preparing a SWOT Analysis – What is SWOT and why is it important
• Discussion on “WHY” records are kept
• Importance of using your records to strengthen and build your farm business

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Office Setup – Practical, Efficient & Engaging

Inventory Management and Solutions

• Managing inventory so it doesn’t manage you
• Tracking and valuing inventory

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Succession Plan - Learn what works and what doesn’t.  When to start. How to handle changes in plans. How to build a team. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Recording & Reconciling Transactions

• Keeping accurate and informative records versus “garbage in garbage out”. How to interpret data

Records Analysis and Interpretation – How, When & Why

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Profit & Loss, Ratios Analysis & “Cash vs. Accrual” Accounting 

• What drives farm practices and efficiencies? 
• Recognizing Farm Financial Standards and GAAP

Tuesday, February 04, 2020

Net Worth Statement – Assets, Liabilities and Owners Equity

• Balance sheet structure and nuances of agriculture
• Cost vs. Market valuations
• Developing the best chart of accounts for your business

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Business Structures - Using the best business structure – Proprietorships, Partnerships, LLC or Corporation – which is best for you?

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Depreciation

• Real depreciation vs. functional and economic obsolescence and the IRS Tax Code

Continuous Improvement

• Application of systems that drive success, provide for business growth and focus on recognizing future business objectives

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Enterprising Strategies

• Income and expense allocations amongst crops
• Overhead
• Production

Social Styles

• Understanding social styles and their importance

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Budgets & Cash Flows

• Making realistic projections using internal and external information -   Why
  • Whole farm budgets
  • Partial budgets
  • Family budgets

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Year End Review and Conclusion

Class schedules subject to change -  rev 8/7/2019

Agribusiness Management 2018-19 Seminar Schedule - Classes 2, 3 & 5

(The 2019-2020 seminar series will be posted at a later date.)

Class location: Chemeketa Community College Salem, Bldg. 62, Rm.101

Class time: 9 am-noon

DATES:

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Panel discussion with Willamette Valley Ag Lenders

This time you help ask the questions: Rates?  Terms?  Loan Officer?  Multiple Lenders?  Favored Crops?  Loans for Succession Management?

Our Panel:

• Avril Koehler – Citizens Bank
• Mary Hood – Columbia Bank
• Sean Kolb – Northwest Farm Credit Services
• Scott Nieman – USDA Farm Service Agency
• Shane Schweitzer – Harvest Capital

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Understanding Family and Farm Retirement Strategies

Panel Discussion with:

• Maria C. Schmidlkofer, Attorney with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt,
• Joanne Humphrey, CPA, PFS with Aldrich Wealth
• Deke Tieske, Columbia Bank
• Matt Benjamin, MBA, CLU. - Wealth Advisor with Northwestern Mutual

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Annual Tax Update by Aldrich Advisors

Tax laws updates, Strategies to improve your position, Policies and Strategies to watch for.

• Curtis Sawyer, CPA
• Joanne Humphrey, CPA, PFS
• Joe Fitts, CPA 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

ODA Update on Food Safety, Good Handlers Practices, Good Ag Practices -                                   

PLUS - A short discussion on Insurance Resources

Presenters:

Susanna Pearlstein, Ph.D., Produce Safety Program Manager, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Dennis Gamroth, CPIA, AFIS, Insurance Agent, Pacific Risk Management   

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Rural Crime Prevention, Marion County Sheriff

Equipment Theft, Identity Theft, Electronics, Surveillance, Crime Prevention, Home Invasion and Reporting Suspicious People and Circumstances

Sgt. Jeremy Landers and others, Community Resource Unit

IMPORTANT These web pages including “schedules’ are updated frequently.  We will also continue to send out class notices for approaching presentations so you can plan accordingly.