Agricultural Business Management

Agricultural Business Management program (ABM) is designed to help all types of Ag businesses, full-time or part-time, achieve their goals through improved financial management and business assessment skills, and improved horticulture capacity.

ABM Includes:

• Nine monthly classroom sessions with open enrollment so that you can join anytime.
• Current applications, practical information, and a methodology to apply it.
• Farm/site visits for one-on-one coaching sessions to work on your unique challenges.
• On-site evaluations of soils, insect, disease and weed issues, crop production, pesticides, and more.

Class Topics Include:

• Enterprise Selection
• Setting Goals And Objectives
• Farm Record Keeping Systems
• Marketing
• Sustainable Business Opportunities
• Computer Analysis
• Credit Management
• Budgeting Techniques
• Employee Management
• Time Management
• Soils
• Insect Issues
• Disease Issues
• Weed Issues
• Crop Production
• Web Technology
• Pesticide Issues
• Fertility
• New Crop Evaluations

"I'm happy that something so informative-yet-practical is available to the community."
—Dr. Jerome McSilvers, Patch-of-Green Farm

Diane Pigg, business instructor and advisor, leverages her experience in the corporate world to assist local agricultural businesses to achieve financial sustainability.

Diane has over 20 years of experience in business management, having worked in various positions at Intel Corporation, including Facility Management, Mergers & Acquisitions Integration, and managing Business Operations. Her strengths in strategic planning, program management and financial analysis provide the perfect foundation for applying business fundamentals to agriculture management. Diane has a B.A. in Economics from Carleton College in Minnesota, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Davis. 

Diane is no stranger to agriculture, with farm roots in the Midwest. Diane has a deep-rooted respect for agriculture and is motivated to help you take your agricultural business to the next level of financial performance.

Ross Penhallegon, Oregon State University Extension Horticulture Agent, has worked in agriculture for over 49 years, and has been an OSU Extension agent for 25 years. He has worked in Lane County, Oregon for 20 years. His major responsibilities are providing educational programs to commercial growers in the areas of berries, tree fruits, nuts, vegetables, organic production, and ornamental/nursery crops for a three county area (Lane, Linn, and Benton counties).  His expertise is helping growers evaluate on-farm problems that affect the growing of various horticulture crops.

Ross is currently working on a “Lingonberry Project” which is looking at the feasibility of growing Lingonberries for commercial use in the States. He is now one of 8 world-wide researchers. Ross has traveled 17 countries, primarily looking at Lingonberries and helping international growers learn how to properly prune

Sessions are 6-9 pm, Thursdays, with open enrollment at any time.

• - ABM Yr 1 - October 6-June 7
• - ABM Yr 2 - October 13-May 7

The cost is $499 per year.

For more information and registration, contact  Diane Pigg at piggd@lanecc.edu or 541.463.4623.