We are accepting reservations for Year One to begin Fall 2020.

• • Contact 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 2020

•  WHEN
  • We are recording inquires for enrollment information and will begin registering particpants in August 2020

AgriBusiness Management Program (Non-Credit) Enrollmnent is closed until Fall 2020
503.399.5089

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 
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 
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 
Focuses on reorganizing the agricultural business based on accumulated financial data. Further develops estate, retirement and labor management plans.

Agribusiness Management YEAR 5 
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 instructor is 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 instructor covers 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. Does the instructor use agricultural professionals to present topics?

Answer: Yes. The Instructor utilizes 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:  Does the instructor have farming backgrounds and experiences in agriculture?

Answer: The instructor grew up on farms, has owned a farm and has Masters Degrees in Agricultural Economics. He has experience in lending, appraisals, real estate, marketing, accounting, business management, employee management and agricultural education.

2019-20 Course Schedule & Outline AgriBusiness Management 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 2019-20 Seminar Schedule - Classes 2, 3 & 5

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

Class time: 9 am-noon

DATES:

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

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:

• Shane Schweitzer – Harvest Capital
• Sean Kolb – Northwest Farm Credit Services
• Jeff Hilderbrand – Citizens Bank
• Justin Gutierrez – Columbia Bank– Citizens Bank

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Tax Law Changes and Tax Strategies

Panel Discussion with:

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

Tuesday, December 17, 2019  Building 8, Room 201* – *not our usual room

Succession Planning - Objectives and Overview

Presented by the Aldrich Advisors - CPAs and Schwabe Williamson & Wyattt, Attorneys

Tuesday, January 14, 2020   Building 62, Room 101

Water Law - Lots of Changes - how can you be prepared.

To be announced

Tuesday, March 10, 2020   Building 62, Room 101

Ag panel  - To be Announced

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. rev 12/01/19