Search for Excellence in Farm and Ranch Business Management

Cade B. Rensink
Director
K-State Research & Extension
Central Kansas District

Rensink, C.*1, , Baker A.2, , Barthol, K.3, , Beckman, J.4, , Blocker, S.5, , Boor, A.6, , Boyle, R.7, , Buller, T.8, , Burns, A.9, , Clemens, K.10, , Coover, J.11, , Fechter, R.12, , Gleason, M.13, , Haney, B.14, , Hatesohl, K.15, , Holder, M.16, , Hughes, W.17, , Meyer, A.18, , Kissick, E.19, , Lanham, D.20, , Marston, S.21, , McClure, G.22, , Meek, M.23, , Melton, B.24, , Miller, C.25, , Nordyke, K.26, , Otte, C.27, , Petersilie, J.28, , Powell, A.29, , Powell, W.30, , Rees, B.31, , Rippe-May, A.32, , Scronce, A.33, , Shorter, L.34, , Sneath, E.35, , Van Skike, K.36, , Wick, S.37, , Reid, R.38, , Winsor, L.39,
1 District Director, K-State Research & Extension, Salina, KS, 67401
2 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Leoti, KS, 67861
3 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Paola, KS, 66071
4 County Extension Agent Emeritus, K-State Research & Extension, Scott City, KS, 67871
5 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Westmoreland, KS, 66549
6 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Great Bend, KS, 67530
7 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Stockton, KS, 67669
8 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Lawrence, KS, 66046
9 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Dodge City, KS, 67801
10 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Ashland, KS, 67831
11 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Girard, KS, 66743
12 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Howard, KS, 67349
13 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Kinsley, KS, 67547
14 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Lakin, KS, 67860
15 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Washington, KS, 66968
16 District Director Emeritus, K-State Research & Extension, Strong City, KS, 66845
17 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Lyons, KS, 67554
18 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Marysville, KS, 66508
19 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Ulysses, KS, 67880
20 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Yates Center, KS, 66783
21 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, McPherson, KS, 67460
22 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Manhattan, KS, 66502
23 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Lawrence, KS, 66046
24 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Concordia, KS, 66901
25 County Director, K-State Research & Extension, El Dorado, KS, 67042
26 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Winfield, KS, 67156
27 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Junction City, KS, 66441
28 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, LaCrosse, KS, 67548
29 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Mound City, KS, 66056
30 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Altamont, KS, 67330
31 County Director, K-State Research & Extension, Emporia, KS, 66801
32 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Oberlin, KS, 67749
33 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Independence, KS, 67301
34 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Eureka, KS, 67045
35 County Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Meade, KS, 67864
36 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Norton, KS, 67654
37 District Extension Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Smith Center, KS, 66967
38 Extension Associate, K-State Research & Extension, Manhattan, KS, 66506
39 Extension Assistant, K-State Research & Extension, Grantville, KS, 66429

In early 2020, a team of 83 Extension professionals from across Kansas worked together in a cross-disciplinary effort to deliver a farm financial series which addressed the grand challenges of global food systems, health, and community vitality. There were 32 host sites for the program which had a total of 685 participants. The series consisted of four sessions.  Topics included Farm Recordkeeping, Balance Sheets, Income Statement, Cash Flow, and Goal Setting. Funded by a North Central Extension Risk Management Education grant, the series was set apart from traditional programs by a mixture of statewide and local presenters and collaboration with a large number of agents across the state. The financial concepts were delivered from the main campus and broadcast to each location using Zoom Conference and Microsoft Teams. Host agents served as facilitators to assist participants in networking and completing hands-on activities that reinforced the financial information presented. In addition, specialists in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences developed presentations on Mental Health and  Family Living Expenses which were given by local experts at the individual locations. These presentations used small group interaction as a way to network around common struggles in their everyday life. The material was approved by Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) and, through this series, 70 people satisfied the financial education requirement for FSA loans.  Post survey results (n = 520) showed that over 95% of participants ranked the material as “Valuable” or “Very Valuable”. All participants showed an increase in their level of knowledge for keeping quality farm records and putting together and assessing balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. Over 87% of participants stated they planned to develop a balance sheet for their farm business every year, over 75% stated they would develop an income statement and cash flow statement every year, and 63% planned to make a family living budget.  The 6-month follow up survey (n = 193) revealed that 75% of the respondents had accomplished one to three items from the Personal Action Plan they developed during the program.  Another 19% had implemented four or more action itmes.