MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — AgBiz Masters, a learning series for young and beginning farmers, has opened enrollment for its next class that will be held from November 2012 through March 2013.
The primary objective of AgBiz Masters is to deliver hands-on business and financial management training to young and beginning farmers. AgBiz Masters takes a blended learning approach where participants complete five online modules and attend several regional sessions during each year of the two-year program.
Topics covered include: trends in agriculture; strategic business planning; constructing a balance sheet; farm business management factors and benchmarks; growth and transition management; and communications, ethics and leadership, among other topics.
In its three years in existence, AgBiz Masters had had 103 graduates of the program. The program is primarily targeted at young and beginning farmers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia.
AgBiz Masters is supported by a network of agricultural organizations. Program partners include AgChoice Farm Credit, Land O’Lakes, MidAtlantic Farm Credit and Pennfield Dairy Profitability Team. The Center for Dairy Excellence and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are key funding partners for the program.
To learn more about AgBiz Masters and enroll online, visit www.AgBizMasters.com. The registration deadline is Oct. 31.
