Jan15
THE BUSINESS OF FARMING: STRENGTHENING THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF YOUR POTATO OPERATION
Washington potato growers know that success in the field depends just as much on sound financial management as it does on agronomy. The Business of Farming is a practical, hands-on workshop series designed to help producers sharpen their financial decision-making, better manage cash flow, and plan for risk and long-term continuity, tools that are increasingly important in today’s operating environment.
This four-session series walks participants through the core financial statements of a farm business and, more importantly, how to use them as active management tools rather than paperwork that sits on a shelf. Topics include understanding assets and balance sheets, evaluating liabilities and debt structure, linking debt decisions to cash flow needs, developing annual cash flow plans, and using financial information to support risk management and transition planning. The material is relevant for operations of all sizes.
A key feature of the program is the opportunity for one-on-one consulting. Participants can work directly with the instructor to apply workshop concepts to their own operations, either during scheduled afternoon sessions or through personalized follow-up outside of class time.
The workshops are led by Jon Paul Driver, an agricultural economist with WSU Extension with prior background working with Northwest Farm Credit Services. With more than 400 consulting sessions completed for over 200 farms, Driver brings both data-driven analysis and real-world farming experience to the classroom.
Each workshop group is limited to 20 participants to allow for discussion and individualized attention. Morning and afternoon cohorts are available, beginning in late January and early February, and will be held at the Columbia Basin Conservation District meeting room in Moses Lake. The full four-session series costs $25 per person or couple, with pre-registration required.
For questions, contact Jon Paul Driver at
