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Assisting agribusinesses worldwide
Looking at the agriculture industry around the world can be a fun and enlightening way to further one’s passion for this vast industry. Over the years, many Purdue Extension educators have had the chance to visit countries abroad to learn more about their agriculture industry and to help educate their producers on various topics.
These experiences are part of the USAID-funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program. This program provides technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production and marketing.
Sadly, when the worldwide pandemic hit, this wonderful program came to a screeching halt. This halt was only temporary and, like many things during 2020, it turned virtual. Although a virtual setting for a cultural immersion isn’t ideal, it is a great way for someone who is hesitant to travel abroad to experience to a new culture and make an impact on the agricultural industry abroad.
I am pleased to say that I was one of the lucky ones who was able to complete a Farmer-to-Farmer assignment virtually by assisting agribusiness owners with financial management in Trinidad and Tobago.
My assignment involved five two-hour sessions in the evenings throughout February and March. The assignment started out by discussing the various components of a business plan and challenging participants to develop a mission statement, vision statement and goals for their business. From there we spent two nights discussing balance sheets, income statements and financial ratios. Next up was cash flow statements, which was one of the requested topics by the participants. The final night was about communicating their business plan and financial information to others as we discussed various leadership styles.
Although the assignment focused on financial management, it was enlightening to hear from the participants as they shared stories about their businesses, asked questions about the topics at hand and discussed how they planned to utilize what they learned. For instance, on the first night, a few of the participants discussed a new variety of wine they were starting to produce and hoped to sell at a market. Individuals gave this agribusiness owner ideas on where they could purchase larger quantities of the fruit they were needing.
Some of the questions and concerns the participants had are similar to those we discuss in programs offered in Indiana. For instance, we had discussions as to what should or should not be included as an account payable and the value in including family labor in your income statement. On the final night, we discussed the importance of treating family members working or assisting with your agribusiness as employees and giving them respect as you communicate what needs done around the business.
The worldwide pandemic altered how the Farmer-to-Farmer Program temporarily operates, but in a virtual setting it still allowed me the chance to document the similarities and differences between the agricultural industries in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. Throughout the assignment, I had the privilege to meet and learn from about 15 different agribusiness producers. This is one of the highlights I have experienced in my nearly 12 years with Purdue Extension.
I would encourage anyone hesitant to travel abroad to continue searching for ways to experience a cultural immersion, because our virtual world can help you overcome those travel issues.
Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Evening and lunch appointments are available upon request.
Upcoming Events
June 2 – Cake decorating 4-H workshop, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Harris Hall, 5-6:30 p.m.
June 3 – Electricity 4-H workshop (see 4honline email forthcoming for details)
June 3 – Crochet 4-H workshop, Extension Office, 6-7 p.m.
June 7 – Dairy: Good for the Gut! Remember Food Safety!, virtual on Zoom, noon, register at https://tinyurl.com/WIAWebinars21
June 8, 15, 22 and 29 – Walking group, 9 a.m., Big Walnut Sports Park
June 8 – The New Nutrition Facts Label, 5 p.m., Extension Office, call to register
June 8 – Knitting 4-H workshop, Extension office, 6-7 p.m.
June 21 – ServSafe online exam, 9 a.m., register at https://purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops
June 30 – Summer Soil Health PARP, 9 a.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds, $10 for credit, register at https://tinyurl.com/SummerPARP