DATE:     12/8/99
CONTACT:  Dr. Johnny Jordan, (864) 656-3475
WRITER:   Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Clemson Plans Business College for Farmers

     CLEMSON -- South Carolina farmers can learn how to be better
business people by attending a special Clemson Extension program
Jan. 25-27.
     The Executive Farmer Agricultural Business College will be 
held at the Madren Center on the Clemson University campus.  A
reception for the participants will be held at the center Jan. 24
at 7 p.m.
     "In the new agricultural business environment, business 
planning is essential for success," said Extension agricultural 
economist Johnny Jordan, the organizer of the event. "The college
will help farmers learn how to answer some important questions.
Our mission is to transform farms into successful businesses."
     Jordan and other Extension personnel will hold three full 
days of classes designed to help farmers develop a business plan 
that will guide them for the next one to two years. 
     The cost is $155 for members of the three farm management 
associations in the state and $375 for non-members. The deadline
for registration is Jan. 5. Fees increase by $50 after that date.
Registration will be limited to 25 farms or 40 people.
     The Agricultural Business College is for farmers of all ages 
with any size operation, regardless of the commodity produced. 
This is the only program of its kind in South Carolina.
     "No longer can farms survive by managing from tractor 
seat to tractor seat. They must have the kind of information and 
programs this program provides," said Bamberg County farmer 
Landis Heirs.
     Farmers will learn how to answer questions such as:
     * How much debt can my business carry?
     * How much operating profit do I need?
     * How much can I spend on family living?
     * How much growth potential does my business have?
     This course also meets requirements for the Farm Service 
Agency borrower training program.
     For more information call: Johnny Jordan at (864) 656-
3475, Toby Boring at (843) 662-3526 (extension 133), Scott 
Mickey at (803) 775-4580, Mike Crosby at (803) 245-2170, 
or Chris Robinson at (843) 662-3526 (extension 251).
                        END