Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, ACA, a customer-owned financial institution, and The Corporation for Community and Economic Development United Inc., will offer a free seminar for ag producers focused on risk management tools they can use to enhance their farming operations.

The seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 19 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Albany.

The course is designed to help producers who want to learn more about financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, farm financial benchmarking, whole farm revenue protection, and other emerging risk management tools.

“The goal of the seminar is to help farmers identify and manage production, marketing, legal, financial and human risks in their operations,” said Patricia McGill, Ph.D., chief executive officer of The Corporation for Community and Economic Development United. “Our hope is that we reach all farmers in the area who need this training, and especially those with limited resources.”

According to Brant Harrell, relationship manager at Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, seminars like these offer advanced training for those who are just starting a farming operation, or those who want to learn business skills that can help them grow their business. “This training is designed to help producers make informed decisions so their operation can sustain the things you can’t often plan for,” Harrell said. “All farmers face risk and those who are just beginning can benefit from information on crop insurance, reducing financial risk, and the importance of creditworthiness.”

Van McCall, who has spent decades teaching farmers about how to mitigate risk, will be the keynote speaker. McCall focuses on helping the next generation of farmers succeed.

To register, email Patricia McGill at pbwmcgill@theccedunited.orgor call 850-294-4994. The deadline to register is Wednesday, July 10.