Water Street Solutions and Farm Progress Companies sponsored the Closing Learning Center Session Saturday at the 2010 Commodity Classic is Anaheim, CA.  The 2-hour panel discussion was a great opportunity for growers to learn things they do have control over on the financial end of their operation.  A summary of the contents of the session is posted today on Farm Progress web sites, and you can read it by clicking here.  In the coming weeks, video from this session will be shared here.

Agriculture is so diverse and changing so quickly that it's difficult for a very successful producer to be an expert in all of the elements of the business.  As you build, it's important to grow a network of advisors to help you along the way.  Our Dean Heffta talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about who you should have around your campfire, and how to go about starting this process of growth and development.  

February 22 2010 Whos Around Your Campfire - Heffta.mp3 (2.01 mb)

You have less than a month now to put your ducks in a row when it comes to risk management through crop insurance.  Our Steve Jackson talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about recent changes in the program in Nebraska, and things to watch for when you're sitting down with your Crop Insurance Specialist.

February 15 2010 Crop Insurance Notes - Jackson.mp3 (1.14 mb)

Steve Johnson, Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University is another Steve and another guy who spends a lot of his life thinking about crop insurance.  He told those attending the Top Producer Seminar recently that you need to work with an agent who KNOWS crop insurance.  It's safe to say you'll find that expertise here at Water Street Solutions.  Click here and you'll see what I mean.

Moving the farm from one generation to the next is a tricky process!  In many situations the son who is farming the land reaches typical retirement age before he becomes the owner of that farm.  The danger lies in not have a plan for passing it from one generation to the next and not even having a good conversation about what each generation wants.  Chris Monroe, and his business, CPS, have teamed up with Water Street Solutions to provide Succession Planning and Estate Planning services to our farmer customers.  Here he talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about his business and how he works with farmers.

February 8 2010 Succession Planning - Monroe.mp3 (4.00 mb)

Another great resource on the topic of blending business and family is a book written by Neil N. Koenig, Ph.D..  It's titled You Can't Fire Me I'm Your Father:  What Every Family Business Should Know.  I found it on Amazon. 

You might feel like you're negotiating mostly at the equipment dealership or when you're buying inputs, but negotiating skills are important all the time.  And these are skill sets you can learn to improve.  Dean Heffta talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about the important steps in the process.

February 1 2010 Successful Negotiating - Heffta.mp3 (3.68 mb)

For the first time, Water Street Solutions took part in the Top Producer Seminar in Chicago as a sponsor.  We enjoyed visiting with the innovative growers who attended.  Many of the seminars focused on the financial aspects of the business, from evaluating crop insurance options to getting your financial house in order -- even a look at what makes bankers nervous.  In the next few days we'll post more information from the meeting.  You can also find more at www.TopProducer-Online.com.

Want to build a successful 2010?  Now's the time to start with some serious goal setting.  Dean Heffta talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes, outlining a way to go about this.  One of the first steps, he says, is evaluating how things went in 2009.

Jan 4 2010 Goal Setting - Heffta.mp3 (1.50 mb)

There are more opportunities for profit if you just look closely.  Chip Nellinger talks with Tom Steever from the Brownfield Network about the places to look, in this report.

You know you want to make money, but how do you start building a marketing plan that's strategic and will help you get to your financial goals?  Water Street Solutions' CEO Darren Frye says it's a little like taking a trip.  First you start with a map.  That map is your financial analysis.  Here's more from his discussion with KRVN's Ken Rahjes.

Nov 30 2009 Starting a Marketing Plan with a Financial Analysis - Frye.mp3 (1.55 mb)

Pulling the Pieces Together:  Making a Difference for Farmer Profitability was the title of his presentation as Darren Frye addressed a workshop session at the American Bankers Association Ag Bankers Conference in San Antonio this morning. 

Darren addressed a packed room and kept them engaged as bankers seek to bring all possible resources to their ag customers.  He walked the group through why it's important to start with a financial analysis, best crop insurance strategies depending on the operation, and how to leverage marketing with financials and crop insurance for the best success.

Water Street Solutions likes to involve the banker in the work we do with our clients to make sure we're all on the same page and doing the best job for profitability.