By Chris Hicks, County Director – UT Extension Smith County
“I believe in the basics: attention to, and perfection of, tiny details that might be commonly overlooked. They may seem trivial, perhaps even laughable to those who don’t understand, but they aren’t. They are fundamental to your progress in basketball, business, and life. They are the difference between champions and near champions.” – John Wooden
It’s been said that Coach John Wooden was so concerned about teaching his players the fundamentals of basketball that he went so far as to teach them how to put on their socks and tie their shoes. While that may seem extreme, his results speak for themselves; 10 NCAA championship teams in 12 years including a record 7 in a row with probably not too many blistered feet or shoes coming untied in games.
Whether you have farmed for 50 years or just inherited land you have no idea what to do with, doing the fundamentals correctly will make it more likely that you’ll have success. What are some examples of farming fundamentals? We could probably list several things, but soil testing, keeping good records, and having a marketing plan come to mind as fundamental to success. Trying to take a shortcut and neglecting the fundamentals can make success that much more difficult.
For new farmers, it’s hard to know what you don’t know. Sometimes folks purchase or inherit a piece of land and know they want to do something with it, but that’s about it. Knowing who to talk to for help (both in knowledge and in financing), how to handle taxes, and even basic farming terminology can be hurdles to overcome.
The University of Tennessee has a new educational program targeting new and beginning farmers called Farming Fundamentals. The program is online and is self-paced so the videos can be watched at your convenience. The topics will include production basics, farm and financial management, marketing, taxes, business plan development, and other related topics.
Online registration is open now at arec.tennessee.edu/extension/farming-fundamentals. Once registered you will receive a link to all the resources including videos and associated quizzes.
Another great educational option for both beginning and experienced farmers is the Master Farm Manager class. This course focuses on solid business principles and efficiently utilizing resources on the farm. Recordkeeping & Tax Planning, Lease Agreements, Financial Statements, and Transition Planning are just a few of what will be discussed during the class which will be in-person at the Smith County Ag Center on Tuesday and Thursday nights from February 10 – March 8. More details can be found at smith.tennessee.edu/spring-2022-master-farm-manager.
Farming is a tough business and there is no guarantee of success. However, beginning with a strong foundation can make success more likely. Regardless of your level of experience, I invite you to consider these and other opportunities to sharpen your skills. As always, if you have questions give us a call at the UT Extension office at 615-735-2900.
