AgSouth Farm Credit is proud to have hosted 14 participants in the 2024 AgBiz Program. Many recently attended the AgBiz Conference in Raleigh, NC as the culmination of the program.
Farmers interested in sharpening their farm business finance skills can apply to participate in the Farm Credit University AgBiz two-part program. There are two separate online e-learning courses designed for farmers at different stages in their career (AgBiz Planner and AgBiz Basics). The program concludes with an in-person networking and educational two-day conference, recently held in Greenville, NC. The Conference is held jointly with AgSouth Farm Credit, AgCarolina Farm Credit, Colonial Farm Credit, and Farm Credit of the Virginias.
Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus from Virginia Tech, an agricultural finance and business management expert leads the course. He is joined at the conference by Dr. Alex White, Professor at Virginia Tech, to help teach personal and farm finance and ag economic outlook. The program teaches young, beginning, small, veteran, and/or minority farmers new business skills to successfully manage and grow their farming operations.
“The concepts I have learned will benefit our farming operation to concrete those fundamental business principals in leading our farm forward with real numbers versus just emotion.” Says participant Taylor Moyer, who operates a diversified cow/calf operation as well as poultry and agritourism in Union County, NC.
AgSouth’s 2024 AgBiz participants are:
AgBiz Planner Course:
- Sally Bulavko and Sarah Wood – St. Marys, GA
- Nikki Christakos – Leasburg, NC
- David and Brittany Kanagy – Blackville, SC
- Daniel Loflin – Thomasville, NC
- Michele and Archie Magwood – Barnwell, SC
- Jane Ware – Mineral Bluff, GA
- Andrew Weniger – Apex, NC
AgBiz Basics Course:
- Alyssa Mackelprang and Parker Mackelprang – Statesboro, GA
- Samantha McClure – Edgefield, SC
- Taylor Moyer – Marshville, NC
- Pablo Perez – Ludowici, GA
- Dawn Pontious and Tyler Hunt – Lexington, SC
- Neki Richardson – Blythewood, SC
- Menon and Amanda Whitsitt – Newberry, SC
In addition to the online course, participants had a mentoring relationship with an AgSouth Farm Credit loan officer. Mentors were available to answer questions throughout the program and attended the conference to further strengthen the relationship.
“Our AgBiz Planner and AgBiz Basics programs are two more ways that AgSouth Farm Credit helps support agriculture and the rural communities in which we live and serve. The programs allow young, beginning, small, and minority farmers the opportunity to learn many valuable lessons that will help make their businesses successful,” says Vance C. Dalton, Jr., CEO, AgSouth Farm Credit.
To learn more about AgSouth Farm Credit’s AgBiz Planner and AgBiz Basics Programs and to apply for next year, please visit https://www.agsouthfc.com/outreach/agbiz-program.
