November 4 – Where Are We?
(9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 noon, Eastern)
90 minutes
*Gary Brester, Montana State University, will discuss some of the factors creating the very risky environment many agricultural producers are facing and provide insights on thinking about strategies to deal with the volatility in day-to-day operational decisions.

*John Hewlett, University of Wyoming, will discuss “Strategic Risk Management in Agriculture,” a strategic planning approach to organize the process of risk management. This approach provides an ideal platform for organizing risk and risk management concepts. The Strategic Risk Management (SRM) process covers strategic, tactical and operational needs, decision-making processes and prediction and probability of outcomes. This 10 step program for strategically managing the five sources of risk includes the tools and worksheets necessary for implementation in today’s increasingly risky environment. The SRM process covered is accompanied by a web site and over forty tools to help implement the SRM process. These tools will be covered during the November 18th webinar.

November 11 – Where Do We Want to Go?
(9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 noon, Eastern)
90 minutes
*Duane Griffith, John Hewlett and Jay Parsons will present “Risk Navigator” a set of tools providing the necessary equipment to begin implementing the Strategic Risk Management (SRM) process presented in the November 4th webinar. Each of the 10 steps in the SRM process is designed to help producers manage the five sources of risk faced by every agricultural operation. The process is cyclical and provides feedback and opportunities for re-evaluation as conditions change. The first three steps involve understanding the operator’s ability and preference for setting risk management goals. This tolerance for risk depends on their financial health and personal preferences. Available tools will be discussed that help producers through each of these steps. The middle steps are tactical, which include identifying risks and the outcomes for various management actions, determining the likelihood of each outcome and making an informed decision about how to manage any risks. The operational stage assures that what gets implemented is actually evaluated and reconsidered and that course corrections are made as necessary as the process unfolds. Available tools for these steps will also be briefly reviewed.

November 18 – How Do We Get There?
(9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 noon, Eastern)
90 minutes
*Risk Management Resources for each region of US agriculture will be presented, with a panel on how to access these resources.

Pulling It All Together: Managing Ag Enterprises in Uncertain Times
December 2 and 9, 2009
* The December 2 presentation will pull together the messages the Webinar series has presented, how has the economic environment changed in the past six months, focusing on the help that is out there to help farm and ranch families deal with farming in uncertain times.
* The December 9 and 10 webinars will focus on the internet and other tools, that are available to assist agricultural professionals working with farm and ranch families, as they manage the many issues created by these very challenging agricultural economic environment.

To Participate Live in the Webinars: (no pre-registration is required – first come – 500 seats available)
• Equipment you will need: A computer that has a set of speakers and a high speed internet connection (LAN, DSL/Cable Modem, High speed wireless).
• Web link used for the entire series:
http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/aginuncertaintimesenglish/
• This web link opens a screen that has the “Enter as a Guest” option selected. Use this option and enter your name and then click on the “Enter Room” button.
• The start time for all webinars in this series is 9:00 am Pacific Daylight time. Please log on a few minutes early to view information about how to ask presenters questions and to make sure your audio is working.

Prior to the meeting date and time, test your computers ability to communicate with the system we will use. Visit the link at the right side of the screen “Test Your Internet Connectivity”. Follow the instructions provided.

All webinars and slide presentations from the June, September and October series are available for viewing at http://www.farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimesenglish/. All slides presentations for the current series are posted on the day of the webinar on this same website.

For additional information email, westrme@wsu.edu or call 509-477-2196.

Families facing uncertainty in agriculture: bankruptcy

The links below are to the recorded session of the Ag In Uncertain Times October 21st^th webinar. Clicking on the icon for either the video or audio-only version will stream the recording to your location. Download and start times will vary depending on your connection speed. Please be patient, as there may be a delay before the video start button appears on the screen.

Sections for this webinar include:

* Introduction and Background information– Emcee John Hewlett
* Speakers:

   Ruth Hambleton – Tools and Techniques of the Family Business: How to Make Assignments and Carry Out Business Plans
   Bob Fetsch – Who Copes Well with Tough Times?

* Q & A session and Closing Comments

Webinar Opening Comments- Emcee John Hewlett
Ruth Hambleton on Tools and Techniques of the Family Business: How to Make Assignments and Carry Out Business Plans
Bob Fetsch on Who Copes Well with Tough Times?
Q & A following speaker presentations
Compilation of the ENTIRE webinar audio

Families facing uncertainty in agriculture: bankruptcy

The links below are to the recorded session of the Ag In Uncertain Times October 20th^th webinar. Clicking on the icon for either the video or audio-only version will stream the recording to your location. Download and start times will vary depending on your connection speed. Please be patient, as there may be a delay before the video start button appears on the screen.

Sections for this webinar include:

* Introduction and Background information– Emcee John Hewlett
* Speakers:

   Norm Dalsted and
   Kenneth Copple – Bankruptcy

* Q & A session and Closing Comments

Webinar Opening Comments- Emcee John Hewlett
Norm Dalsted and Ken Copple on Bankruptcy
Q & A following speaker presentations
Compilation of the ENTIRE webinar audio

Below are links to the PowerPoint slides presented by today’s speakers addressing the topic: families facing uncertainty in agriculture – how do we get there?

Presenters include:
* Ruth Hambleton, Founder of Annie’s Project
* Bob Fetsch, Colorado State University – Who Copes Well with Tough Times?
handhout – Farm and Ranch Family Stress and Depression: A Checklist and Guide for Making Referrals

Click on the presenter’s name to access the PowerPoint presentation.

Recordings of the webinar presentations will be posted once they have been compiled under a separate listing.

Below are links to the PowerPoint slides presented by today’s speakers addressing the topic: families facing uncertainty in agriculture: bankruptcy

Presenters include:
* Norm Dalsted, Colorado State University – bankruptcy
* Kenneth Copple, Kenneth Copple & Associates – bankruptcy

Click on the presenter’s name to access the PowerPoint presentation.

Recordings of the webinar presentations will be posted once they have been compiled under a separate listing.

Families facing uncertainty in agriculture: where are we going?

The links below are to the recorded session of the Ag In Uncertain Times October 14th^th webinar. Clicking on the icon for either the video or audio-only version will stream the recording to your location. Download and start times will vary depending on your connection speed. Please be patient, as there may be a delay before the video start button appears on the screen.

Sections for this webinar include:

* Introduction and Background information– Emcee Jon Newkirk
* Speakers:

   Elaine Froese – Communication Roadblocks
   Jeff Tranel – The Interplay of Farm Business Finances and Family Expenses
   Michael Rosmann – Managing Ourselves Optimally During Uncertain Times

* Q & A session and Closing Comments

Webinar Opening Comments- Emcee Jon Newkirk
Elaine Froese on Communication Roadblocks
Jeff Tranel on The Interplay of Farm Business Finances and Family Expenses
Michael Rosmann on Managing Ourselves Optimally During Uncertain Times
Q & A following speaker presentations
Compilation of the ENTIRE webinar audio

Below are links to the PowerPoint slides presented by today’s speakers addressing the topic: families facing uncertainty in agriculture: where are we?

Presenters include:
* Elaine Froese – Communication Roadblocks
* Jeff Tranel – The Interplay of Farm Business Finances
and Family Expenses
   Links
   + Online courses
   + Family Living 2008 Sources and Uses Summary
   + 2007 Nebraska Farm & Ranch Annual Report
   + Farm and Family Living Income and Expenses for 2007
   + Farm Financial Database: FINBIN
   + Taking Control of Farm-Family Living Expenses
   + Managing Farm Family Finances

* Michael Rosmann – Managing Ourselves Optimally During Uncertain Times
   handout
   + Strengthening Resources for Uncertain Times

Click on the presenter’s name to access the PowerPoint presentation.

Recordings of the webinar presentations will be posted once they have been compiled under a separate listing.

Families facing uncertainty in agriculture: where are we?

The links below are to the recorded session of the Ag In Uncertain Times October 7th^th webinar. Clicking on the icon for either the video or audio-only version will stream the recording to your location. Download and start times will vary depending on your connection speed. Please be patient, as there may be a delay before the video start button appears on the screen.

Sections for this webinar include:

* Introduction and Background information– Emcee Jon Newkirk
* Speakers:

   Dave Goeller – Ag in Uncertain Times: What we learned from the 80’s
    Jay Gordon – Ag in Uncertain Times: What has Happened with Dairy?

* Q & A session and Closing Comments

Webinar Opening Comments- Emcee Jon Newkirk
Dave Goeller on Ag in Uncertain Times: What we learned from the 80’s
Jay Gordon on Ag in Uncertain Times: What has Happened with Dairy?
Q & A following speaker presentations
Compilation of the ENTIRE webinar audio

Below are links to the PowerPoint slides presented by today’s speakers addressing the topic: families facing uncertainty in agriculture: where are we?

Presenters include:
* Dave Goeller, University of Nebraska – Ag in Uncertain Times: What we learned from the 80’s
* Jay Gordon, Executive Director of the Washington State Dairy Federation – Ag in Uncertain Times: What has Happened with Dairy?

Click on the presenter’s name to access the PowerPoint presentation.

Recordings of the webinar presentations will be posted once they have been compiled under a separate listing.

The current economic environment is creating difficult times for many farm and ranch families. The October Ag in Uncertain Times webinar series focuses on “Families facing uncertainty in agriculture”. The presenters for this series bring a wealth of experience and expertise in working with, or being part of, farm and ranch families and will share good practical help for working with farm and ranch families.

October 7: 90 minutes (9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 noon, Eastern)
   Dave Goeller begins the series with an exploration of what we learned from working with farm and ranch families during the ag crises of the 80’s that we can apply today. What are the lessons that should be applied today and what is different going forward.
   Jay Gordon will identify the immediate issues dairy families are facing today because of some of the worst price/cost issues in some time.

October 14: 2 hours (9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 noon, Eastern)
   Elaine Froese will explore roadblocks to effective communication and keys for families to communicate around tough issues. Communication, if it existed before a crises, is often the first thing to go when stress hits. Effective communication within the family unit is a critical component for successfully working through any crises.
   Jeff Tranel will discuss the interplay of family expenses and farm business finances and the additional problems these issues create in times of financial stress. He will touch on some of the keys to working though the family/business financial interchange and will recommend resources to help families tackle this issue.
   Michael Rosmann will cover behavioral health support to the agricultural population. He will provide some thoughts on the important emotional and mental health components of dealing with a financial crises and provide helps for those of us who are not mental health professionals in working with families caught in a financial bind.

October 20: 90 minutes (9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 Noon, Eastern)
   Norm Dalsted and an attorney, both with several years of experience working with farm families on bankruptcy, will focus on bankruptcy issues.

October 21: 90 minutes This is the wrap up for the Families facing uncertainty in agriculture webinar series. (9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 Noon, Eastern)
   Ruth Hambleton will present tools and techniques for the family business including suggestions on how to make assignments and carry out the business. She will also identify resources that ag professionals and families can turn to for assistance.
   Robert Fetsch will provide practical guidance for dealing with the emotional and health issues facing farm families caught in financial crises. He will discuss specific ideas and point to resources for helping families approach these tough issues. He will also discuss how best should one of us help a family we see in crises?

To Participate Live in the Webinars: (no pre-registration is required – first come – 500 seats available)
• Equipment you will need: A computer that has a set of speakers and a high speed internet connection (LAN, DSL/Cable Modem, High speed wireless).
• Web link used for the entire series:
http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/aginuncertaintimesenglish/
• This web link opens a screen that has the “Enter as a Guest” option selected. Use this option and enter your name and then click on the “Enter Room” button.
• The start time for all webinars in this series is 9:00 am Pacific Daylight time. Please log on a few minutes early to view information about how to ask presenters questions and to make sure your audio is working.

Prior to the meeting date and time, test your computers ability to communicate with the system we will use. Visit the link at the right side of the screen “Test Your Internet Connectivity”. Follow the instructions provided.

Dave Goeller, an Extension Economist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, began his Extension experience working with farm and ranch families during the ag crises of the 80’s. His work has focused since on assisting agricultural producers experiencing “financial difficulties” to work through their problems and evaluate their options, providing business succession and estate planning alternatives and transfer strategies for the “Ownership” generation, and assisting beginning farmers and ranchers develop a plan to enter the field of production agriculture.

Jay Gordon is Executive Director of the Washington State Dairy Federation and a dairy farmer.

Elaine Froese ( http://www.elainefroese.com/) is an expert in helping family businesses talk about tough issues. She’s a catalyst for courageous conversations for positive farm succession planning. Like many of her clients, Elaine is an active farmer and she watches the sky. Her common sense and down to earth style of communicating and asking hard questions is deeply appreciated by folks who find it hard to ask for help. Elaine also mediates for the Farm Debt Mediation Service.

Michael Rosmann is a clinical psychologist and the executive director of AgriWellness, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health support to the agricultural population in seven upper Midwestern states. Dr. Rossman also works to address the behavioral health care needs of agricultural populations and communities and to provide education about these needs.

Jeff Tranel is an Agricultural and Business Management Economist with Colorado State University Extension and Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. His professional interests focus primarily in farm and family financial management, risk management, accounting and record keeping, income taxes, and water management. His involvment with farm families in financial stress began during the farm crises of the 80’s.

Norm Dalsted, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University, has a number of years of experience helping families work through Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 reorganizations.

Ruth Hambleton, Founder of Annie’s Project and president of Annie’s Project—Education for Farm Women that is empowering farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information, retired after 30 plus years with University of Illinois Extension. She is a farmer’s daughter and married a farmer. Ruth and her husband of 31 years raised three children on a 40 acre hog, beef and hay farm. Ruth is working with her sister and two brothers to help their father manage his 320 acres of farmland in north central Illinois.

Robert Fetsch is an Extension Specialist and Professor in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies at Colorado State University and is the director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project. He was raised on a small dairy farm. He has been working with farm and ranch families to assist them in improving their communication skills since 1985.

The Ag in uncertain times . . . webinar series runs through December with
• Families facing uncertainty in agriculture, October 7, 14, 20, and 21
• Operating in risky environments, November 4, 11, and 18
• Pulling it all together: Managing Ag Enterprises in Uncertain times, December 2, 9, and 16

All webinars and slide presentations from the June and September series are available for viewing at http://www.farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimesenglish/. All slides presentations for the current series are posted on the day of the webinar on this same website.

For additional information email, westrme@wsu.edu or call 509-477-2196.