| PROJECT SUMMARY |
Tree crop producers in California’s Central Valley face challenges due to the high capital investment and low liquidity inherent in perennial crops. Price risk, due to foreign competition and limits in marketing outlets, has forced growers to think beyond production risk. We will offer computer classes demonstrating the value of recordkeeping and financial analysis tools in making business decisions in light of financial position and credit needs. We will offer introductory classes to a total of 140 family farmers and a subsequent intensive classes to forty farmers. The curriculum will use QuickBooks examples of hypothetical farm situations and coordinated Excel financial analysis templates. The introductory classes will stress the difference between short run positive cash flow and long run financial sustainability using the hypothetical financial templates to play “what if”. Students in the intensive class will enter personal farm data into the templates and develop long term business plans.
|
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Product and enterprise diversification |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Capital and financial assets |
| Credit |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
