CORPUS CHRISTI — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has arranged two-day schools this spring for adult children and grandchildren of landowners who want to get involved in the family ranch.
Generation Next: Our Turn to Ranch School will be held at three locations in the state beginning in early March, according to Dr. Megan Clayton, AgriLife Extension range management specialist, Corpus Christi.
“The schools are for anybody interested in starting an agricultural business,” Clayton said, “but we especially want to provide this opportunity for children and grandchildren of landowners. Staying connected to the family ranch is difficult, especially when there’s not an obvious way to make a profit.”
Many end up needing to find careers outside the property, making it difficult for them to return to the ranch when their parents or grandparents are ready to retire, she said.
“As a result, we’ve seen a decline in the number of agricultural properties staying in the family,” Clayton said. “So this school helps heirs explore profitable enterprises to supplement existing ranching operations. This two-day school is a great place to start for those wanting to get into or stay involved in the ranching business.”
The schools will be held March 5-6 in San Angelo, March 12-13 in Stephenville and April 9-10 in Corpus Christi.
The registration fee is $100 per school until two weeks prior to the course; $175 thereafter. College students currently enrolled can attend for $75. The fee includes two days of classes from expert instructors, a resource notebook and a jump drive containing resource publications and materials, five meals and a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Registration will be limited to the first 50 participants, so early signup is encouraged.
“The first day will be spent learning how to set up a new business,” Clayton said. “We’ll discuss drawing up effective wildlife and livestock leases, marketing agricultural products and protecting one’s investment by understanding insurance and tax opportunities.
“The second day will explore cutting-edge land management techniques, ecotourism opportunities and other alternative ranching operations that could be coupled with existing practices,” she said.
Topics to be addressed by expert speakers include:
— How to start an agricultural business.
— Understanding business taxes.
— Marketing your products and yourself.
— Using technology to your benefit.
— How to set up grazing and wildlife management leases.
— Multi-generational ranching.
— Understanding market fluctuations.
— Land management techniques.
— Coping with invasive species.
— Alternative operations to add to the business.
“Staying connected to the land and finding your place in the family ranch can be difficult, but these schools are specifically designed to provide ideas and direction to make multi-generational ranching successful.”
To register, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ESSM or call 979-845-2604.
For more information, contact Clayton at Megan.Clayton@ag.tamu.edu, call 361-265-9203 or contact your local county AgriLife Extension office.
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