Want to expand your ranch, but not sure how?

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By Lisa Schmidt

 

The traditional way to expand a farm or ranch is to buy more land. More land means more crop or livestock and, hopefully, more money. 

But no more land is being made. 

Producers who want to expand might consider adding another enterprise or adding value to the crops or livestock they already have.

“I see this as a way to get the next generation back on the farm or ranch. Often, it is hard to increase the acres or cow numbers, but looking at how we can get more dollars out of the current capital we have now should be an option,” said Maggie Nutter, Sunburst, Mont., cattle producer. 

Renowned agricultural enterprise developer and teacher Maarten Fischer and his team will help people develop strategies to increase their farm or ranch income at a class that is coming to the Golden Triangle soon. 

Participants in the North-Central Montana Multifunctional Agriculture Seminar will learn about ways to generate more income – catering food from the farm, agri-tourism, education and many others; the best marketing strategies for these products and services; cooperative business models; relevant zoning, liability, health and safety regulations and public and private funding opportunities. 

Between sessions, participants will work on compiling a business plan based on their ambitions and the specific opportunities on their farm.

“This class is an investment,” said Lisa Schmidt, a cattle and sheep producer from Conrad, Mont. “Right now, cattle prices are high, but we all know how fast they can fall. Now is the time to explore ways to mitigate those crazy price swings so we are ready for the next cycle.”

The highly interactive class will be held Feb. 24 and 25, plus March 10 and 11, from 9 until 3 each day. Lunch will be provided, along with plenty of time to discuss ideas and strategies. 

Participants will start the first day in Conrad. After that, the class will move to various Golden Triangle locations based on participants’ interests. 

The second day will focus on opportunities, markets and strategy. 

On the third day, several experts who offer assistance – whether it is financial, web design, regulatory or other help – will speak to the group. 

By the fourth day, participants will have the opportunity to present their business plans. 

“This training is not focused on farm economics or investment budgets. It is a training that is designed to develop a strategy. The aim is that the entrepreneur at the end of the training is capable of developing a strategy, or at least understands how this works so he can ‘use’ his advisers or other people from his network in the right way. So the training is actually focusing on the development of competences of the entrepreneur. The actual strategic plan is more of a by-product,” said Fischer.

“We want people to see the good, the bad and the ugly from people who are already doing some incredibly innovative enterprises,” said Carol Keats, of Choteau. Keats is one of the seminar organizers. 

Generous sponsors, including Stockman Bank, Independence Bank, Front Range Counties Farm Bureau and Montana Farmers Union, have reduced the cost to participants. 

Registration is $125. The deadline for registration is Feb. 21. Call Keats to register at (406)223-2598 after 5 p.m. or send an email to her at carolLkeats@gmail.com 

For more information, visit www.mariasriverlivestock.com or check the Facebook page called Adding Income thru Multifunctional Agriculture.

“Both my son and I are attending. He is having thoughts about coming back to the ranch in the future but Kelly and I aren’t ready to retire. Another form of income could allow Ken to come home to the ranch and let the grandboys grow up here,” said Nutter. 

 

 

Source:  Marias River Livestock

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