CONSULTANT FALL WORKSHOP HELD IN AMES

The Iowa Farm Business Association consultants held their yearly Fall Workshop in Ames at the Comfort Suites & Conference Center September 19-21.  The three day event included intensive meetings and several guest speakers.

Guest speakers for the Monday sessions were Loren Kruse, Successful Farming who spoke to the consultants on the importance of a comparative analysis for farmers.  Roger McEowen, ISU Extension, answered questions and concerns the consultants had regarding new tax questions and changes.

NAFBAS Annual Conference

The gleaming national monuments in Washington, D.C. served as an impressive setting for the 33^rd annual conference of National Association of Farm Business Analysis Specialists.  Local consultants Bob McHugh, Larry McAlexander, Daryl Kruse, George Moriarty, Tom Thaden, Lowell Lewis, Virginia Berger and State Coordinator Kent Vickre attended this professional development event June 26-30 and heard headline speaker John Block, former U.S. Ag Secretary detail his role in food marketing.

Presenters from inside the beltway described the process of government activities and policies that impact farm families.  A special tour of the nation’s monuments after dark was a first day highlight.  The conference was hosted by USDA on Tuesday and featured current U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns speaking about ag issues now on the USDA forefront.  Other staff members gave conference members insight into trade, farm programs, conservation issues, and water rights.

Wednesday sessions convened on Capitol Hill with remarks from Elizabeth Paris, Senate Finance committee counsel; Senator Sam Brownback, Representative Ray LaHood, and Anthony Reed, legislative director for Speaker Dennis Hastert.  Thursday featured a presentation by Mark Wilson of the World Bank and keynoter Dennis Avery of the Hudson Institute.

Over 225 staff and family attended the 2005 conference; the 2006 event will be in Omaha, NE.  Members of NAFBAS help more than 20,000 farm families in the areas of accounting, tax management, and business analysis.  To learn more about this program, please visit the website www.nafbas.org or contact: 

                 Kent Vickre, State Coordinator

                 Iowa Farm Business Association

                 226 SE 16^th Street

                 Ames, Iowa  50010

                 515-233-5802

Tuesday sessions started with a “Niche Pork Grant Update” from Gary Huber and Succession Planning presentation from Mike Duffy with ISU Extension.  Consultant Andy Thompson held a discussion on C-Corp/S-Corp Conversion.  The afternoon had a TASC (Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan) presentation by Jeff Taylor.  This presentation was followed by the  Technology, Economic and Ag Policy development by John Becker, Pioneer Farm Manager Coordinator.

Wednesday speaker was Mike Rosmann, AgriWellness, Inc. who spoke about rural mental health in Iowa.

The consultants were also given a review of the new analysis program being developed and also the PcMars Plus program.  Consultant committees met to discuss analysis, software and record books.  The next consultant workshop will be held in the spring in Omaha prior to the annual NAFBAS conference scheduled for June 5-8, 2006 to be held in the same location.

Roger McEowen, ISU Extension, speaks to consultants at Fall Workshop about tax law changes.

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