Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch is a 12-week online course to be offered Aug.17-Nov. 8 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
“The Generation Next curriculum targets new landowners, those who are inheriting land or those who are looking to start a new agricultural operation on an existing ranch,” said Megan Clayton, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension range specialist, Corpus Christi. “It is an online school where participants will work towards developing a business plan with plenty of support from professionals who specialize in each field and topic.”
The course fee is $250, which includes 12 weeks of expert instruction, a Generation Next T-shirt and a completion certificate at the end of the course. Attendees will also have the opportunity to complete a business plan by the end of the course. Register online or call 979-845-2604.
“Those who attend will gain ideas that can be applied to a new operation or an existing one, such as learning about options for setting up grazing and wildlife leases and smaller niche market opportunities,” Clayton said. “Participants will also be exposed to the latest land management tools and techniques.”
Participants will also learn about starting a new agriculture business or enterprise, including tax implications, insurance needs, developing grazing or wildlife leases, finance management, land management techniques and resources, alternative ranching, ecotourism opportunities and direct marketing, and setting goals with measurable objectives for success, she said.
“Those who attend should plan to spend about an hour and a half at some point during the week working on the lesson and activities,” Clayton said. “The activities will ultimately build a useful business plan for your operation.”
For more information, contact Clayton at 361-265-9203 or Megan.Clayton@ag.tamu.edu.
-30-
