DATE:     12/14/98
CONTACT:  Dr. Johnny Jordan, (864) 656-3475
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343

Clemson Plans Business Workshops for Farmers

     CLEMSON -- South Carolina farmers can learn how to be better
businessmen by attending one of two Executive Farmer Program
workshops scheduled for early 1999.
     The first is set for Jan. 26-28 and the second will be Feb.
9-11, according to Johnny Jordan, Clemson Extension agricultural
economist. The workshops will be held at the Madren Center at
Clemson University.
     "We'll bring the farmers in the night before each workshop
for a reception, and then hold three full days of classes
designed to help them develop a business plan that will guide
them for the next year or two," Jordan said.
     The fee will be $155 for members of the three farm
management associations in the state and $375 for non-members.
     Each member pays an annual fee of $1,200 to join an
association, which helps them keep financial records which can be
used to make management decisions. This is the only program of
this kind in South Carolina private or public. 
      "In the new agricultural business environment, business
planning is essential for success," Jordan said. "The workshops
will help farmers learn how to answer some important questions,"
says Jordan. Those questions include:
* How much debt can my business carry?
* How much operating profit do I need to meet all my
  cash commitments?
* How much can I spend on family living?
* How much growth potential does my business have?
* How efficient is my business?
     The deadline for reserving a place for the first workshop is
Jan. 5. Fees increase by $50 after that date. Registration will
be limited to 25 farms or 40 persons.
     For more information call: Johnny Jordan at (864)656-3475,
Toby Boring at (843)662-3526 (Ext. 133), Scott Mickey at (803)
775-4580, Mike Crosby at (803) 245-2170, or Chris Robinson at
(842) 662-3526 (Ext. 251).
                              END