11/27/07 Computer, record keeping schooling for farmers

David Wells wants to teach as many Idaho farmers and ranchers as he can about computers and keeping accurate records of their operation. Wells teaches the Farm Management Program at Boise State's College of Applied Technology. He brings nearly 30 years of farming experience into the classroom. WELLS "Introduce farmers to the computer starting with turning it on. How we take care of computers, computer health, Microsoft Word, working with a spreadsheet, one year's basic accounting, and the heart of the program is a problem that I give them that takes two years to complete. So we've made up a model farm selling products on the farm, to the farm, and keeping track of enterprise accounting." This three year educational program has involved nearly one thousand Idaho farm families in the past two decades by helping them with record keeping and analysis. WELLS "Good records put you in charge of the accountant and the two of you together make decisions rather than the accountant or the IRS making decisions for you." Wells says the state of Idaho does a better job of supporting farmer education financially than any other state west of the Mississippi. If you'd like more information or to register contact the BSU Center for Workforce Training at 426-1861. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott