The virtual bootcamp sets farmers up for success.
Times are challenging on the farm these days. Farmers run and finance large and diverse businesses, manage capital, handle labor issues and navigate regulations. Operators are constantly working on their business.
The Executive Farm Management Program is designed to help farmers work on their business. This year, the National Peanut Board is proud to partner with the EFMP to support peanut farmers’ participation in this educational activity.
NPB will provide a $150 tuition grant for up to 100 U.S. peanut farmers who participate in the 2021 EFMP to be held virtually Feb. 9-11, 2021. Farmers can find more details and sign up for the program at go.ncsu.edu/efm.
Traditionally, the EFMP is delivered in three in-person sessions totaling 12 days in January and February. However, due to the pandemic, the EFMP for 2021 has been modified to a virtual bootcamp covering strategy, financial management and human resource management.
Sharpen Skills, Learn New Ones
“Peanut farms are usually capital-intensive operations,” says EFMP director Blake Brown. “They are more complex and diverse than other row-crop farms. Some peanut farms even venture into value-added peanut products.
“Regardless, they must stay at the cutting edge of management, particularly if they want to successfully pass the operation to the next generation. The EFM bootcamp will sharpen peanut farmers’ existing management skills and provide new skills in an innovative and intuitive framework that peanut farmers can put to work right away.
“We hope to help farmers with some very important, core management skills and prepare a really strong group of farmers for a full program in 2022,” Brown says.
The program is open to U.S. peanut farmers from all growing areas, backgrounds and business situations.
“NPB’s support of peanut farmers’ participation in this program aligns with our mission to improve the economic condition of peanut growers and their families,” says Lauren Highfill Williams, NPB director of communications. “We anticipate that the $150 tuition grant will encourage growers to make this investment in the future profitability and success of their operations.”
The bootcamp program will be preceded by four webinars, delivered at 9 a.m., Eastern Standard Time each Tuesday, Jan. 12 to Feb. 2. The webinars cover critical management topics such as transforming your business, managing cash, family succession issues and tackling sticky conversations.
More information on the management program and how to apply can be found at go.ncsu.edu/efm.
