2006 AMI Think Tanks

We know current information is important to you. Since its inception, AMI has been refining its focus to meet your needs. In fall 2006, we held five Think Tanks across the province as well as a Farm Business Management and Planning conference. More than 200 participants, representing all aspects of Ontario agriculture, shared their perceptions and opinions on farm business management and changes that will impact the industry. What we heard during those meetings shaped our future direction. We’re proactively conducting research and initiating specific projects to fill industry farm business management gaps and needs.

Here are our areas of focus:

• Foster small group farm business management models – networking groups
• Develop business planning templates and tools for farmers
• Research and streamline information delivery for farm business management
• Establish needs and support training for farm advisors to facilitate planning
• Establish linkages
• Further involve farm organizations in farm business management
• Create focused communications activities around all of the above

Symposium On Farmers Working In Small Groups

On September 6th and 7th 2007 the AMI conducted a Think-Tank Symposium entitled: “Farmers Working in Small Groups for Improved Profitability and Quality of Life.”

The Symposium welcomed 15 panellists and 18 observers to bring forth ideas, experiences and lessons learned through established management groups. The 15 panellists came from different regions of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba as well as Wisconsin, USA. As expected, discussions, rather than leading to a consensus, tended to reflect a variety of views and ideas. What we heard during the symposium provided a wealth of information to consider while examining farm led peer groups. The challenge now to the AMI, and other agricultural organizations is to facilitate small networking group development by supplying success stories, adapted models and effective mechanisms. AMI invites anyone reading the summary to react to it. You can send us your thoughts, or a document, or refer us to a website, or put us in touch with a success story you are aware of.

Survey Regarding Farm Business Advisors

In the winter of 2007-2008 the Agricultural Management Institute issued a survey to farmers and farm business advisors to assess the current level of farmers’ awareness and accessibility to farm business management resources. The assessment also identified gaps between available resources, farm business advisors training and farmers’ expectations. Results provided the basis for creating specific training materials and communication tactics to bridge any gaps. This is what we heard from our survey.