SPOKANE, Wash. — Several hundred people across the nation participated in 17 live online interactive seminars in 2009 on a variety of topics under the theme of “Ag in Uncertain Times.”
For those who weren’t able to participate, or those who would like a refresher, the complete series of webinars and supporting materials will remain available online indefinitely, free of charge. The entire series can be found at http://www.farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimes/.
John Nelson, an educator with the Washington State University Center for Risk Management Education, encourages both individuals and agriculture-related organizations to take advantage of their free online availability.
“We’d really like to see individuals and farm organizations download sessions on topics relevant to them, burn them to disk, and show them at meetings of commodity groups, local granges and other organizations, and share them widely,” says Nelson. “Additionally, you’ll find numerous invaluable tools in the accompanying Wiki, including information on how to incorporate the information into presentations, and it’s all there for the taking.”
Jon Newkirk, director of the WSU Center for Risk Management Education in Spokane, says the series offers a wealth of information and tools for those involved in producing food.
“We were able to bring together a lineup of presenters with incredible skills and knowledge to address issues facing ag producers in this difficult economy,” says Newkirk. “The information is both timely and timeless, and includes the video, audio, presentations, and slides of every presenter.”
The series of 90-minute sessions was designed to provide practical information for agricultural producers and other professionals involved with agriculture. It was put together and presented by the Western Extension Committee, an organization of Extension economists from 13 western states, Guam and other Pacific Islands.
Topics covered in each monthly series include operating in the face of uncertain credit, operating in the face of uncertain markets, families facing uncertainty in agriculture, operating in risky environments, and managing ag enterprises in uncertain times.
More information and the entire series of webinars are available for viewing and download at http://www.farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimes/.
Organizations contributing making the webinar series available include: The University of Arizona, The University of California Davis, Colorado State University, Montana State University, The Western Center for Risk Management Education and Washington State University, The University of Wyoming, and the Center for Farm Financial Management.
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