AgriLife Extension economist: Seats will fill fast, so register early
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Steve Amosson, 806-677-5600, samosson@ag.tamu.edu
AMARILLO – Agriculture producers must develop better marketing skills to improve their bottom line in times of greater market price volatility, and the Master Marketer Program is the place to get that training, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.
The next Master Marketer Program will be held in Amarillo. It will begin Jan. 21-22 and continue Feb. 4-5, Feb. 18-19 and March 2-3. All the meetings will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center of Amarillo, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.
A free futures and options leveling workshop for anyone who doesn’t think they are ready for intermediate to advanced level training will be held on Jan. 20 before the program begins, said Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist in Amarillo.
Amosson will be leading a group of instructors from within the agency, several universities and private industries to put on the third Master Marketer Program in Amarillo.
Master Marketer is a national award-winning risk-management educational program where participants learn how to develop marketing plans, evaluate marketing alternatives, manage production and price risk, and execute a risk management and marketing plan, he said.
A wide range of topics is covered to enhance marketing/risk management skills, Amosson said. Case studies, group discussions and simulation exercises will be used to provide experience with real tools that can be used on individual farm and ranch operations.
The 64-hour curriculum is offered as four, two-day sessions held every two weeks. It is the most intensive marketing/risk management training provided by Extension anywhere in the U.S., Amosson said.
The final date to register is Jan. 10, but Amosson said the class has always filled up in advance when it has been in Amarillo and he has never seen interest this high, this early.
“Only 60 participants can be accepted, so those interested shouldn’t wait to register,” he said.
The registration fee for the program is $340, which includes noon meals and educational materials. Amosson said previous registrants say it is well worth the money, reporting their incomes have increased more than $35,000 per year on average.
The training in the Amarillo area will focus on feed grains, cotton, wheat and livestock, he said.
Program costs are partially covered by grants from sponsors, including the Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Farm Bureau, the Cotton State Support Committee, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board and the Texas Wheat Producers Board.
For more detailed information about the Master Marketer Program, including evaluation results from previous classes and registration brochure go to http://mastermarketer.tamu.edu. Individuals can register by filling out the brochure and sending a check or use the preferred method to register online by credit card at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/.
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