March 8, 2005
Top Farmer workshop tackles tough producer decisions
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - For two generations, crop producers have depended on Purdue University's Top Farmer Crop Workshop to help them make some of the critical decisions regarding their farming operations.
The 38th annual workshop will take place July 17-20 on Purdue's West Lafayette, Ind., campus. The workshop attracts successful, results-oriented producers from across the Midwest, said Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, a Purdue agricultural economist and workshop coordinator.
"Workshop organizers select a balance of presenters representing agribusiness, research and the growers themselves," Lowenberg-DeBoer said. "Facilitators challenge speakers to cover those topics that directly influence the producer's operation.
"Top Farmer has an informal flavor and the format is fast-moving, with speakers interrupted with questions and challenged on the spot."
More than 60 speakers are scheduled to appear this year, Lowenberg-DeBoer said.
The workshop includes breakout sessions where smaller groups interact on relevant issues with guidance from subject matter experts.
A popular workshop feature allows producers to enter information about their own farms into Purdue's linear programming software. Using the program, growers can test some of their own management situations, such as the optimum size of their operation for their current resources or whether buying a certain new technology will be profitable.
A Top Farmer alumnus said he's a better farm operator for having attended the workshop.
"Making a management decision is easy compared to living with the consequences of your decision," said Jake Frederick, a 2004 workshop participant. "Fortunately, Top Farmer has helped me with a better understanding of my operation and helped me to grow profitably."
Registration for the Top Farmer Crop Workshop is $250 per person and $75 for each additional person from the same farm. Registration fees include two meals, coffee breaks, a workshop proceedings notebook and the use of Purdue computers for the cost analysis. Lodging and other meals are extra.
Additional workshop details and registration materials will be available in May. To receive the materials or for more information, contact Lowenberg-DeBoer at (765) 494-4230, lowenbej@purdue.edu; or Bruce Erickson of Purdue's Department of Agricultural Economics, at (765) 494-9557, berickso@purdue.edu.
A preliminary list of speakers and topics is available at the workshop Web site.
Sources: Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, (765) 494-4230, lowenbej@purdue.edu
Bruce Erickson, (765) 494-9557, berickso@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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