Holistic Management Financial Planning Course Feb. 7-8 in Mankato

CONTACT: Richard Ness, LSP, 320-269-2105; rness@landstewardshipproject.org

1/9/12
MANKATO, Minn. — A financial planning course using Holistic Management processes will be held Feb. 7-8 at School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato (170 Good Counsel Drive). The fee for this Land Stewardship Project (LSP) workshop is $250 per family/farm unit (limit two people) and $100 for each additional person. Lunch is included. To register or for more information, contact LSP’s Richard Ness at 320-269-2105 or rness@landstewardshipproject.org.

This is a practical class in using the Holistic Management process to create a financial plan that makes a profit, honors quality of life and family needs, and provides a monitoring system to make sure profit becomes a reality. Holistic Management is a decision-making framework that has helped farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and natural resource managers around the world achieve a "triple bottom line" of sustainable economic, environmental and social benefits.

The instructor will be Joshua Dukart, a Holistic Management Certified Educator from Bismarck, N. Dak., whose family ranch consists of cow-calf, equine, stocker and forage crop enterprises that focus on regenerative land management through the enhancement of soil health. Dukart also works with producers on biologically diverse cropping management and integration of cover crops through the Burleigh County Soil Conservation District.

The two-day course will cover:

• The steps necessary to prepare an annual financial plan that includes gross profit analysis of enterprises, budgeting and cash flow management using the Holistic Management forms as well as the newest financial planning software.
• How to plan to make a healthy profit.
• How to monitor your plan.
• Making the most of resources you have available.
• Building confidence in your decision making.
• Learning how to respond to change and take advantage of opportunities.
• Analyzing new and existing enterprises based on their contribution to the entire operation.
• Honoring quality of life and family needs.

LSP (www.landstewardshipproject.org) is a nonprofit membership organization committed to practical solutions that support family farmers, a healthy landscape and socially just communities. This workshop is one in a series to help farmers strive for profitability while contributing environmental and social good to their communities.

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