UTIA Family, please refer to utk.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates and student information. For UTIA-specific resources, including event information and county office status, please visit utia.tennessee.edu/coronavirus
Measuring, Analyzing, Navigating, and Achieving Goals Effectively
MANAGE was designed specifically to help Tennessee farm families carefully evaluate their individual situation and assist them in improving their quality of life. The MANAGE program is conducted by University of Tennessee Extension. Over 15,000 Tennessee farm families have participated in the intensive farm and financial planning phase of MANAGE.
The MANAGE program helps families analyze their total farming business so they can make informed decisions regarding their future. Staff trained in farm and financial management help families:
The MANAGE program provides individualized and unbiased information. All financial and personal information will remain confidential.
In addition to individualized farm and financial planning assistance, Extension is offering dozens of workshops and other educational programs to help farmers improve their financial situation. For example, workshops are available on a variety of topics including improved marketing, goal-setting, and strategic planning.
Although the MANAGE program will not remove uncertainty of the future, it can provide farm families with a clear understanding of their current financial situation and help them evaluate their alternatives for the future. Making informed decisions today may be the best way to prepare for tomorrow's opportunities. The educational program is offered at no cost to participating farm families in all 95 Tennessee counties. Families are not formally enrolled into the program.
Extension Area Specialist, Farm Management - Eastern Region
Extension Area Specialist, Farm Management - Western Region
The Tennessee Master Farm Manager is a new course being offered in 2020. This course will focus on solid business principals to help you better manage your operation. We will focus on helping you utilize resources on your farm efficiently.
The course will be held over eight Tuesday nights starting October 13th, 2020 at 7PM EST/ 6PM CST. This will be a Zoom based webinar.
Learn more and register
Beginning farmers, value-added agriculture entrepreneurs and all farm operators are invited to participate in a free "lunch and learn" webinar series starting in April. The series will cover a variety of topics related to effective farm business management, marketing and planning.
Hemp Certification Video    Presentation Denise Woods Tennessee Department of Agriculture Legal and Regulatory Issues for Hemp Growers Video    Presentation Paul Goeringer Extension Legal Specialist Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics University of Maryland
2018
2019
Farmers across the state have benefited from the MANAGE program over the past few years. During personal interviews and through statewide surveys, these farmers have expressed their personal opinions about MANAGE. The following is a sample of the views and opinions of those who have taken advantage of the MANAGE program:
"MANAGE personnel showed a frank and sincere interest in me as a person as well as in my success in farming." Blount County farmer
"Brought to the forefront the importance of financial management shown in concrete, understandable form." Shelby County farmer "Using the joint effort of the area farm management specialist, along with the experience and knowledge of our local Extension agent, creates a powerful tool that can fit the individual needs of our operation." Monroe County farmer
MANAGE takes advantage of what you've got and makes use of it." Rutherford County farmer "I give the program credit for me farming today." Fayette County Farmer