Tennessee Master Farm Manager

Create a strong business foundation to make better decisions for your farm’s future!
UT Center for Farm Management and Master Farm Manager Program logo

The Tennessee Master Farm Manager focuses on solid business principals to help you better manage your operation. We will focus on helping you utilize resources on your farm efficiently.

Winter 2024 Sessions

Topics and Speakers


Live Zoom Webinars

January 30, 2024
Developing Business Plans for the Farm
Eryn Bell, Extension Specialist in Farm Management

February 1, 2024
Understanding and Creating Financial Statements Case Study
David Bilderback, Extension Specialist in Farm Management

February 6, 2024
Borrowing with higher interest rates and FSA Programs
Aaron Smith, Associate Professor and Extension Crops Marketing Specialist

February 8, 2024
Dodging the Iceberg: Tools for Effective Issues Management
Shelli Rampold, Assistant Professor


Pre-recorded Sessions

Creating a Budget to Understand Breakeven Cost
Tori Griffin, Extension Specialist in Farm Management

Tax Planning and Recordkeeping: What the Producer Needs to Know
Alan Galloway, Extension Specialist in Farm Management

Farm Transition Planning
Kevin Ferguson, Extension Specialist in Farm Management and MANAGE Coordinator

Does Your Lease Agreement Protect You?
Chris Clark, Professor and Executive Dean

Equipment Purchase Decision Process
Jon Walton, Lecturer, Agricultural and Resource Economics

More coming soon

Winter 2024 Course Information

Tennessee Master Farm Manager will focus on solid business principles and efficiently utilizing resources on the farm. The Winter Master Farm Manager Course will utilize a hybrid method, with both prerecorded videos and live webinars. Zoom based webinar sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights for two weeks starting January 30, 2024 at 7PM EST/6PM CST.  Registered participants will be emailed a Zoom link and instructions the day before each session.

Watch the recordings as your schedule allows. The recordings page will be sent out round the beginning of January.

To complete the course, eight of the sessions must be completed.

Online registration is open now through January 30, 2024


For more information contact:
David Bilderback at
db@utk.edu or 865-200-4545

or

Kevin Ferguson at
kferguson@utk.edu or 615-898-7710


In-person Class Opportunities

Multi-County Master Farm Manager
March 11 & 18, 2024
9am – 4pm each day

Flyer

Greene County Extension Office
204 N. Cutler Street
Suite 105
Greeneville, TN 37745
Map

Lunch and class materials are provided.

Registration
$100 before March 5
$125 after March 5

Register online


Check back often to learn about in-person classes being offered.


TAEP Eligibility

Producers completing the Master Farm Manager certification will be eligible for 50% Cost Share for the following TAEP Programs:

Dairy Solutions, Genetics, Row Crop Solutions, Hay Storage, Hay Equipment, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Solutions, Permanent Working Structures, Agritourism, Fruits & Vegetables, Value-Added Production, Honey Bees, Horticulture & Poultry Growers

Charley Martinez talking to couple
Aaron Smith presenting to crowd
I plan to spend the last 10 years of my career developing and implementing a transition plan to take our family farm from my father’s generation to my son’s generation. The topics covered in this webinar could not have come at a better time for our family.
Participant
Absolutely great class!! While I have a background in accounting and understand financial statements, I learned how to apply that knowledge to farming to be able to make decisions for equipment, seed and livestock purchases and management. I’ll be referring to the handouts frequently as I write my business plan for my farm.
Participant
As a first-time emerging farmer…the information is invaluable to me. I plan on attending each offering in the future to help build on my knowledge.
Participant