• You would like to improve your profit margin
• You require the latest information and decision-making tools
• You want to plan strategically for the future
• You aspire to grow a better business
• You need to understand your competition or
• You desire to pass on a successful farming business to your family

Testimonials of MAST Alumni:

"MAST’s interactive instruction methods and faculty support provided me with the tools to help our customers make sound land and machinery purchase and leasing decisions.I would recommend the program for any progressive farmer or rancher who wants to be able to put numbers behind each decision they make."
                                                                     - Justin Schrag, Branch Manager
                                                                       The Citizen's State Bank
                                                                       Goessel, KS

"I really liked being able to pick and choose what subjects I wanted to learn about.  In addition, it was wonderful to sit at the computer when I could fit it into my schedule.  Having the manuals is great for future study and I look forward to reviewing some information I have previously acquired. This year I understood a lot more when I had my taxes prepared.  I now feel better equipped to make wiser financial decisions. I would highly encourage widows carrying on the family farm to use this program.  The benefits are many."
                                                                     - Sharon Small, Owner
                                                                       J and S Farms
                                                                       Horton, KS

"If you are interested in better positioning your business, this is the program for you. All the modules offered information that has been valuable to me and my customers. I would not hesitate to recommend the MAST program for all those associated with agriculture."
                                                                     - Hamilton Bock, Vice President,
                                                                       Baileyville Bank
                                                                       Seneca, KS

"The importance of the distance-learning format compared to an on-site class or local meetings can't be overstated. This style of learning for today's farm manager is convenient and timely. The real dividends will come in the future as I employ the tools I learned in the program and review the modules when needed."
                                                                       - Marvin Tischhauser, President,
                                                                         Diamond T. Inc.
                                                                         Morris County, KS

IN THE NEWS

September 9, 2008
K-State’s MAST Program Teaches Ag Management Skills Online Program Allows Producers to Learn at Home

MANHATTAN, Kan. – When Minnesota farmer Bruce Wichmann signed up for a four-month Kansas State University program to hone his production and business skills, he wasn’t sure what to expect from the online program.

What he got, said Wichmann, was an array of resources, personal interaction with internationally-known agricultural economists and the opportunity to discuss issues affecting his operation with others facing similar challenges. Wichmann, who is the owner and operator of Greywolf Farms in Fairfax, Minn., was part of K-State’s 2007-2008 Management, Analysis and Strategic Thinking Program.

The MAST program is open to agricultural producers who want to sharpen their management skills and plan for the future. K-State is now enrolling participants for the next MAST class.

The Web-based program, which begins Nov. 11-12, 2008, is open to agricultural producers throughout the United States, according to Alicia Goheen, MAST program coordinator.

While the program kicks off with a session on K-State’s Manhattan, Kan. campus, the majority of the learning is done at home through modules accessed on the Internet, Goheen said. Topics covered during the program include: Land Ownership and Leasing; Machinery Ownership and Leasing; Financial Analysis; Human Resources; Tax Management and Policy; Risk Management; and Marketing.

At the November orientation, class members will be introduced to the MAST program’s online technology, and will meet the MAST instructors and other participants, Goheen said.

“Participants then head home to begin working on the distance learning portion of MAST,” she said. “The nice part about this is that producers can work through the modules on their own schedule – whether that’s before the work day gets started or in the evening when work and family activities are winding down.”

The modules will be completed by Feb. 9-10, 2009, when participants gather again in Manhattan for a wrap-up and graduation. Wichmann, who runs a 600-acre row crop operation, said it was helpful to him to discuss issues with class participants from Kansas and other states.

“One of our instructors was (risk management specialist) Art Barnaby. He’d just come back from testifying in Washington, D. C. to a Senate ag panel,” Wichmann said, adding that because of the small class size, he became better acquainted with the MAST instructors than he was able to while studying for his undergraduate degree from North Dakota State University.

More information and registration materials can be found on K-State’s MAST Web site: http://www.agmanager.info/MAST or by contacting Goheen at 785-532-4434 or agoheen@agecon.ksu.edu .