Ag Producers Can Learn At Home Via Web-Based Program  

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Oct. 30 is the deadline to enroll in Kansas State University’s Management, Analysis and Strategic Thinking program, also known as the MAST program.

The program is designed to enhance management skills and provide new decision-making tools and strategic planning strategies for agricultural producers, according to MAST coordinator Alicia Goheen. The program is based in K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

Past participants have come from a wide range of agricultural backgrounds –cow-calf producers, diversified crop farmers, land owners and dairy managers – and from across the United States – Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, and Minnesota.

The program starts with a two-day on-campus orientation Nov. 16-17, 2009, where participants meet one another, as well as program administrators and faculty who teach the online modules. After the orientation, participants return home to work on the modules on their own time.

The modules, taught by K-State Department of Agricultural Economics faculty, cover such topics as land; machinery; financial analysis; human resources; tax and policy; risk management and marketing.

The program will end with a second on-campus visit Feb. 23-24, 2010. At that time, class members will provide feedback and participate in a graduation ceremony.

The cost of tuition in the 2009-2010 MAST program is $1,250 per person or $1,100 per person if two or more participate from the same business. More information is available on the MAST Web site: http://www.agmanager.info/MAST/ or by contacting Goheen at 785-532-4434 or agoheen@agecon.ksu.edu.

Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are offering partial scholarships for their members. More information is available by contacting a local Farm Credit Association office or Goheen.

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