Risk Management Meetings Sponsored by Missouri Farmers Union

Missouri Farmers Union sponsored Farm Risk Management Seminars across the state March 17-19. Seminars were offered in Shelbina, Boonville, Nevada, Pleasant Hill and Cameron. The programs were made possible by a grant from USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

The purpose of the seminars was to educate farmers and their financial advisors on marketing management, value-added opportunities in agriculture and utilization of the new farm bill.

Steve Tonsor, marketing specialist/commodities broker for the Farmers Elevator
and Exchange in Monroe City, presented various strategies in marketing management, including the use of options and hedging.

Kyle Vickers, co-op development specialist with MFU’s Family Farm Opportunity Center, spoke with participants about achieving profitability through adding value to farm commodities and diversifying farm operations to achieve better risk management.

Jim Miller from National Farmers Union rounded out the program with a presentation on farm bill utilization for family farmers. Miller is Chief Economist with the National Farmers Union, focusing on policy analysis and issue advocacy, and was active in promoting the interests of family farm agriculture during the 2002 Farm Bill
negotiations.

“We hope to continue working with RMA to provide these educational opportunities for farmers throughout Missouri,” stated Jill Lucht, who organized the meetings. “The fast paced changes in agriculture require farmers to continue developing strategies to manage their risk. Our hope is that these meetings will help give farmers ideas about how to become more profitable during these trying times.”

Photo caption: Steve Tonsor of Farmers Elevator and Exchange in Monroe City tells participants in Shelbina about marketing management on their operations.

RISK MANAGEMENT SEMINARS
March 17 - 19, 2003

Strategy is key to the success of any business, including the business of farming. Join us for this Missouri Farmers Union sponsored event when we visit your area:

3/17, Shelbina
9am - 1pm, Shelbina Library Basement

3/17, Boonville
6pm - 10pm, Boonville High School Commons

3/18, Nevada
9am - 1pm, Home Ec Bldg, Vernon Cty Fairgrounds

3/18: Pleasant Hills
6pm - 10pm, Pleasant Hill School

3/19: Cameron
9am - 1pm, Cameron Communty Building

The seminar will include the following speakers and topics:

Steve Tonsar, Monroe City Grain Elevator
Marketing Management, Including Options and Hedging

Kyle Vickers, Missouri Farmers Union Family Farm Opportunity Center
Achieving Profitability--Opportunities for Value-Added Ag, Alternative Ag and Farm Diversification

Jim Miller, National Farmers Union
Farm Bill Utilization for Family Farmers

This seminar is free and open to the public. Farmers and their financial advisors are strongly encouraged to attend. If you would be interested in attending as well as taking advantage of the lunch or dinner provided, please contact us by phone at 573-659-4787 or email us.