$ Participants will understand how to apply appropriate

agricultural accounting principles with QuickBooks™ software

infrastructure.

$ Producers will execute management changes from routine

analysis of operational financial reports.

$ Participants will adopt and integrate industry specific data and

reports into their financial records management.

QuickBooks™ software is used by many farm businesses in Pennsylvania

for financial recordkeeping. Farmers often report frustration with their level

of understanding of QuickBooks™ software, and feel that they are not

using the program to its full potential. In response to this need, a series of

statewide workshops were held in five locations in Pennsylvania during

the fall and winter of 2011/12. The primary objective of these workshops

was to increase the understanding and skills of participants about using

QuickBooks™ for completing several key farm recordkeeping and

analysis tasks common to most farm businesses. Workshops were

conducted as a two-part series. Response to the workshops was

excellent, with several full locations. The workshops used a computer lab

of ten laptop computers, each with QuickBooks™ 2010 Accountant

Edition installed. Each workshop was customized to the individual needs

of participants through polling of topics during the introduction of the

workshop. An evaluation survey was conducted at the conclusion of the

workshops. The majority of respondents to the surveys rated the program

to be “Good” (30%) or “Excellent” (63%). Based on answers to post

program survey questions, these workshops were successful in improving

the knowledge, attitudes, and likely actions of participants with respect to

key financial management and analysis tasks using QuickBooks™

software in their agricultural businesses. There is good demand for this

workshop subject matter, and it will be continued in the future.

$ Computer lab utilized for interactive training and question

responses.

$ Partnered with Ag Choice Farm Credit for marketing, delivery,

and some site locations increased client participation.

$ Day and a half workshops at five sites across Pennsylvania:

¢ Sites limited to 10 operations, 2 participants per operation

¢ 46 operations and 61 participants for all five sites

¢ Half day scheduled six weeks after initial session for concept

application by participants on individual operations

$ 53 (87%) of participants evaluating initial workshops reported

(n=61):

¢ Rated program delivery as “Excellent” or Good”: 93%

¢ Program “Exceeded “or “Met” their expectations: 90%

$ 100% improved (1 level on 4-point scale) for at least 1

understanding, importance, or intended use key concept: Key

concepts focused on profit/loss statements, cash flow

statements, record system structure, and accrual methods:

¢ Greater understanding for 1+ concepts (Chart 1): 96%

• Improved generation of profit/loss statement (Chart 2): 72%

¢ Realized importance for 1+ concepts (Chart 1): 70%

• Comprehended accrual accounting (Chart 3): 57%

¢ Intended to adopt 3+ concepts (Chart 1): 49%

• Envisioned quarterly cash flow statement use (Chart 4): 74%

"I would definitely recommend it-even if you already use QuickBooks,

it is beneficial to work with someone and have them show you how

to use features. It is also nice to work with other farm employees, on

one computer, in the same session-learning together.“.

“I learned how to use the ‘class’ system to categorize my

income/expenses. This makes it much easier to run reports and see

if a commodity is profitable.”

“Actually upgraded our system. Can track income/expenses with

more detail.”

$ Finalize discussion blog for past and future program

participants

$ Integrate portions into other existing Penn State Extension

educational programs

$ Revise modules to be basic, intermediate, and advanced

$ Employ online survey for future participants to identify correct

training level

$ Incorporate pre-requisite webinar accounting sessions

More information: Keith Dickinson, krd16@psu.edu or Rob Goodling, rcg133@psu

Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State

Cooperative Extension is implied.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

Goodling*,R.C. Jr.1, Dickinson*, K.R2 1Dairy Extension Associate, Penn State Extension, Department of Dairy and Animal Science, University Park, PA 2Agricultural Business Management Extension Educator, Penn State Extension in Chester County, Chester, PA

$ 28 (46%) program participants responded to six month

financial records evaluation (Chart 5):

¢ Learned benefits of good records for calculating cost of

production: 86%

¢ Evaluated current system to improve cash flow planning: 75%

¢ Revised financial structure to improve cost calculations: 29%

Producers, agricultural professionals, and extension educator during hands on

“Managing your Farm Business with QuickBooks ™” session.

0%

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Chart 2: Understanding profit/loss statement generation

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Chart 1: Understanding, importance, and intended use of

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Chart 3: Increase in realized importance of accrual method

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Chart 4: Quarterly utilization of cash flow statements

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Improved Cash FlowReports

Computed Cost ofProduction

Restructure FinancialAccounts

% Participants that implemented change (n=28)

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Chart 5: Financial record adjustments based on workshop