Many people view farming as a job that requires someone to plant seeds in the spring, work hard all summer, and harvest crops in the fall. This is just part of the job. There is a lot more involved in farming than just planting and harvesting crops.

Farming is without a doubt one of the more complicated professions. Naturally, farmers must know a lot about agronomy - the science of growing plants. But they must also know a lot about other things as well.

One of the most complicated tasks of their profession is management. Just as with other small businessmen, they must know how to keep good business records. They must not only be able to keep good production records, they must also be able to keep good tax records. They must know the difference between cash flow and profits.

Farmers must be able to manage labor. They must hire, motivate, and retain good workers. They must know the laws related to workers compensation, social security, and withholding income taxes.

Since many of them must rely on workers from other countries, they must know immigration laws, housing laws, and other topics related to seasonal farm workers. Many of them must work with agencies or companies that are in the business to assist farmers in securing and managing these workers.

Farmers must know how to develop business plans or they will not be successful. They must be able to understand cash flow statements, profit and loss statements, marketing plans, commodity markets, stocks, margins, basis, and much more. Does this sound complicated? It is especially complicated for a young farmer.

To assist young farmers in becoming better farm managers, the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina are again this year sponsoring the Master Farm Management Seminar. This seminar will be held January 26 - 30 on the campus of North Carolina State University. It will be taught by Extension Specialists and will focus specifically on business and financial issues rather than production issues.

Farm Credit is providing scholarships for 36 young farmers and agribusinessmen from across the state to attend. Females are encouraged to apply as well, since even though they may work off the farm, many farm wives are directly involved in record keeping and financial management of the farm operation. These scholarships will provide the entire cost of this week-long seminar except travel to and from Raleigh and a couple of meals during the week.

For the purpose of this seminar, young farmers are those between the ages of 25 and 45 and actively engaged in the management of the farm operation. There are many young farmers in Robeson County who are in this age bracket and are positioning themselves to take over the family farm operation.

I would like to encourage all young farmers from Robeson County to apply for one of these scholarships. Unfortunately, everyone will not be able to attend, but it is a sure bet that if you don't apply, you will not be accepted.

Applications for the Master Farm Management Seminar are available from the Extension Center and from any Farm Credit office. Applications will be received at the Extension Center until Wednesday, December 3.

Farmers must also be knowledgeable of subjects other than agronomy and management. They must also be mechanics. They must know how to work on their own equipment in order to keep repair and maintenance bills to a minimum.

Farmers must also be chemists. Many of the things that happen in the soil are the result of chemical reactions between water and the elements in the soil. Farmers must understand what will happen if certain nutrients are not available for their crops or what will happen if excessive nutrients are applied. They must understand the difference between acid and basic and how lime is used to enhance plant growth.

Farmers must be meteorologist. They must know how weather systems may affect their farm operations and be prepared to alter their plans depending upon rainfall, temperature, wind, and humidity. Their entire livelihood is dependent upon the weather.

Farmers must be good humorist. Too often things do not go well for a farmer. It is either too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet, too early, or too late. Many times there is nothing they can do about it but smile and make the best of it. They will not survive without a good sense of humor and a positive attitude.

Later this month we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Let's remember to be thankful for our farmers.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 12/09/03