Released: February 12, 2004

Risk Management, Other Skills Topics of Workshops for Farm Families

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Managing a family farm challenges owners and managers to know the land, the latest in crop and livestock research and production techniques, and savvy business – and communication – skills, said Charlie Griffin, research assistant professor in Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State University.

“Business decisions that affect the farm also affect the family,” said Griffin, who is working with Charlotte Shoup Olsen, K-State Research and Extension family specialist, and Jerry Jost, program director of the Kansas Rural Center, to offer one-day workshops to help farm families improve risk management, decision-making and communications skills.

“When a family is in business together, it’s important for them to be able to talk about their relationships with each other, their expectations within the business, and their respective roles,” Olsen said.

Focus groups from around the state have helped organizers identify needs and plan workshop sessions that will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at five sites in the state.

The workshops are free and a complimentary lunch will be served. They are scheduled:

• March 22 – Saline County Extension Office, 300 W. Ash St., Salina;
• March 25 – Northwest Area Extension Office, 105 Experiment Farm Road, Colby;
• March 26 – Ford County Extension Office, 100 Gunsmoke St., Dodge City;
• March 29 – Southeast Area Extension Office, 308 West 14th St., Chanute; and
• April 5 – Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 SW Western Ave., Topeka.

The workshops reflect the combined efforts of Kansas State University and the Kansas Rural Center. The project is funded by the Risk Management Agency and is one of the 2003 Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education announced by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in October, 2003. Additional partners include K-State Research and Extension; the Kansas Rural Family Helpline; Kansas Farmers Union; Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services; Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops; Kansas Farm Bureau; Kansas Farm Management Association, and National Farmers Organization.

In the fall, workshops for professionals working with family farm business management and development will be offered, Griffin said.

For registration or more information, call the Kansas Rural Family Helpline toll free number: 1-866-327-6578 or 1-866-FARM.KSU, or e-mail: farmstaff@ksu.edu

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News