Arkansas Risk Management Education Program
Finance, Marketing, and Management
Situation •
Mission
• What We Offer •
How the Program Works • Program
Areas
Situation
During the life of the 1996 Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act,
Eastern Arkansas row-crop producers have faced a turbulent environment of
historically low commodity prices and adverse weather conditions.
Further, producers across the United States have developed an enhanced
"global perspective" of agriculture. Markets, political and monetary policies,
and even weather patterns around the globe have become a component in local farm
management decisions.
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), which
establishes Federal farm programs for the next six (6) years, was signed into
law on May 13, 2002. While providing direct de-coupled subsidies to producers
and landowners such as those provided in the 1996 farm legislation, the FSRIA of
2002 introduces a more market-oriented counter-cyclical de-coupled subsidy. As
this new legislation promises to provide a reliable, safe, and affordable supply
of food and fiber, it will still be incumbent upon all producers, as in the
past, to properly manage price, production, and financial risks.
Mission
As a result of these factors, a comprehensive risk management education
initiative has been implemented to prepare Arkansas farm families for this
new risk environment.
Our mission is simple -
"To strengthen the risk management skills of Arkansas farmers."
What We Offer
A major focus of this program is to help producers evaluate the financial
position and performance of their operation and identify strategies to improve
the farm finances. Assistance can be provided to producers concerning the
following areas:
- Farm Financial Analysis
- Financial Statement Preparation
- Farm Record-Keeping
- Ag Marketing Strategies
- Crop Insurance Selection
- Lease or Purchase Decisions
- Irrigation & Land-leveling Investment Analysis
- Enterprise Budgeting
In addition to personalized farm financial management assistance, the risk
management specialists working in this program will conduct workshops in
record keeping, financial analysis and commodity marketing.
How the Program Works
The education program is offered at no cost to farm businesses in 27 eastern
Arkansas counties.
To obtain additional information about the risk management program, or to set
up an appointment with a risk management specialist, contact your local
county extension office or the risk management specialist in your area.
The program provides individualized and unbiased information. All financial and
personal information will remain completely confidential.
Program Areas
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Scott Stiles
PO Box 1080
State University, AR 72467
Phone: 870-972-2481
Mobile: 870-219-8608
sstiles@uaex.edu
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The "Arkansas Farm Family Risk Management Education Initiative is a join
project between the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University.
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