Iowa State University’s Extension Strategic Advantage Program team received an Extension’s Achievement Award on Nov. 11 for its efforts in farming.

The Strategic Advantage Program team has researched, designed, piloted, implemented and will continue evaluating a strategic management program for farm families. According to a press release, the team worked with agricultural commodity groups and lenders to coordinate the statewide marketing and programming effort.

The Strategic Advantage Program team is an interdisciplinary team that works with agencies using creative teaching methods to help Iowa farm families develop successful agriculture methods for the future.

According to the press release, Iowa farmers must review opportunities based on individual and unique skills, and resources of families and farms to keep up with the rapidly changing market.

The team for Strategic Advantage is a new program. The team piloted last year and went statewide this year.

Workshops by the team last winter helped Iowa producers learn strategic management skills.

“Strategic management deals with the long-term issues that ultimately determine the success of the farm business and the welfare of the families involved,” said Paul Brown, ISU Extension farm management specialist and co-chair of Extension’s Strategic Management committee.

“It is the systematic search for opportunities in the agricultural industry that will enhance competitiveness, increase profits and meet the goals of the farm family,” Brown said.

Brown said once the opportunities are identified, the focus of the workshop shifts to developing and implementing plans to make the farm business profitable and competitive.

“Farm families with strategic management skills respond positively to changes in the agricultural industry in ways that are consistent with family and business goals,” Brown said.

The three-day workshops are for producers at a crossroads, not financially, but in terms of business direction, according to the press release. Numerous workshops will be available for cash, grain and all livestock producers starting this winter.

The target for ISU Extension are producers who are staying in the business for the next 10 years.

“Participants will strengthen their ability to create and sustain a competitive advantage for their farm business,” Brown said.