WARSAW, Mo. – If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue?

Starting March 27, University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected.

Farmer leaders need to have a short-term operating plan ready for any unexpected event that could impair their ability to operate their farm, said Amie Breshears, MU Extension agricultural business specialist. “Farmers can be sidelined by health concerns, cognitive issues, accidents and injuries, family caretaker duties, military deployment or anything else that inhibits their ability to make decisions and operate their farm.”

A short-term operating plan provides essential information and structure to keep the farm running until the key decision-maker is ready to resume their role, she said.

Participants will leave the series with knowledge of components of short-term operating plans, how to craft the plan’s components to reflect your farm operation, and how to join the components to form a complete plan, Breshears said.

The program is designed for female landowners and farm operators, but that all are welcome to participate in this informal, participant-driven and learner-focused event, she said.

A farm short-term operating plan can be tailored to the individual farm. Breshears said it’s like a blueprint for farm operations, covering the basics of running the farm, caring for livestock, tending the crops and farm equipment logistics enough to help the stand-in operator “keep the wheels on the bus.”

“It’s like insurance in that you hope you never need it, of course, but it’s invaluable if you ever do!” she said.

Cost is $15. Register at https://bit.ly/4bHG5PM.

Dates and locations

All classes are 9:30-11:30 a.m. unless otherwise specified.

• March 27. Sedalia, Pettis County Extension Center.
• March 28. Clinton, Henry County Extension Center.
• April 22. Online, 6-8 p.m.
• April 23. Warrensburg, Johnson County Extension Center.
• April 24. Boonville, Cooper County Extension Center.
• April 25. Harrisonville, Cass County Extension Center.
• April 28. Versailles, Morgan County Extension Center.
• April 29. Online, 6-8 p.m.
• May 1. Lincoln, Lincoln City Hall.
• May 2. California, California City Hall.
• May 7. Online, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Find more information in the MU Extension publication “Short-Term Operating Plan for Farms and Ranches” at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/m202.