Browsing by Author "Morgan, Kim O."

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    Best Practices to Managing Farm Financial Health and Wellbeing
    Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Morgan, Kim O.; Mason, Garland; Nunoo, Nicole (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-09-02)
    Most farmers and ranchers—and, particularly beginning farmers and ranchers—do not have the financial capacity to hire financial managers to manage their finances for them. The onus is therefore placed on the farmer to assume the multiple roles of accountant, business manager, and farmer at the same time. The tried-and-true approaches to addressing financial risk begin with the development of a whole-farm risk-management plan. We provide best management practices to manage and mitigate the whole-farm, and whole-family risks associated with finances, production, marketing, legal issues, and human interaction (Nickel, 2020).
  • Catalyzing Agricultural and Educational Resources to Move the Local Food Value Chain Needle in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont Regions of Virginia
    Bendfeldt, Eric S.; Latimer, Joyce G.; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Morgan, Kim O.; Vallotton, Amber; Price, E. French; Marston, Cyndi; Love, Kenner; Sutphin, Mark; Sastre-Flores, Beth; Cooper, Jason; Mize, Tim; Hilleary, Jim (2019-10-08)
    The Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont Regions of Virginia are fortunate to have agricultural, cultural, and educational resources to catalyze and strengthen Virginia’s food system from farm-to-table. Despite growing demand and support for local food systems, barriers to sustainable success remain for farmers and food businesses, including limited or unwieldy value chain coordination, logistical hurdles, lack of transparent market signals, and inadequate scale, match and fit between producers and buyers.Educational outreach and value chain coordination has included: a Farm2Fork Affair and ongoing producer-buyer networking, Virginia Market Readiness Farm to Restaurant Workshops, On-farm Food Safety Walkthroughs, exploring a Soil Health Awareness/Action Campaign, and expanding the scope of the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters in coordination with Virginia Market Maker.
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    Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part II: Introduction of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers
    Morgan, Kim O.; Callan, Peter L.; Mark, Allyssa; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Nartea, Theresa J.; Scott, Kelli H.; Hilleary, Jim (2016-10-19)
    There are many factors to consider before starting a new farm enterprise. Financial management is an important component in the startup and decision-making processes for beginning farmers. The purpose of this series of publications is to inform Virginia agribusiness owners and managers about the farm financial risk management tools, techniques, and resources available to help them prepare and use a financial systems approach for their operations. This publication introduces the four financial statements that farm managers can use to record and assess historical farm financial performance. The topics covered in this resource are not all-inclusive, but after reading this publication, beginning farmers should be prepared to move forward in planning for their farms. The accompanying parts in the series are “Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part I: Overview of Financial Statements for New and Beginning Farmers” (Virginia Cooperative Extension publication AAEC-114P), and “Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part III: Introduction to Farm Planning Budgets” (VCE publication AAEC-116P). A compilation of excellent resources that includes examples, how-to videos, and training resources is included in the appendix at the end of this publication. For questions about this particular risk management issue or other farm startup topics, contact the local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or visit the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program website at www. vabeginningfarmer.org.
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    Introduction to labor issues for beginning farmers
    Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Mark, Allyssa; Morgan, Kim O.; Scott, Kelli H.; Nartea, Theresa J.; Hilleary, Jim (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
    Introduction to labor issues for beginning farmers. Includes Who will you hire? Looking into farm workers, talking to family, consider starting an intern program, learn if you can hire volunteers, what legal issues you'll want to consider, what kind of insurance you'll need, which fair labor laws must you follow? How you will manage your workers, how will you advertise your open positions? What resources are available to advertise your farm positions? How else can you find more workers?
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    Managing Farm Financial Stress for a Healthy Farm and a Healthy Farm Family
    Nunoo, Nicole; Mason, Garland N.; Niewolny, Kimberly L.; Morgan, Kim O. (2020-08-31)
    Farm financial situations cause stress, depression, and with limited mental health professionals, farmers are likely to take drastic measures in addressing their mental health and wellbeing. Not only do these measures determine the health of the farm, business, or operation – they affect the health of the farmer and his/her/their family. For these reasons, we present this document to assist farmer and farm families in detecting early signs of farmer stress and to aid in managing farm finances. Personal and farm finance resources tools are provided at the end.