The association and Cooperative Extension cooperatively employ a qualified field person. The field person is the direct link to the storehouse of abilities and knowledge that Cooperative Extension and Experiment Station staff can provide. Invitations to attend association tours, seminars, workshops and meetings. The members have the opportunity to attend association meetings, farm tours, seminars or workshops, and other meetings held for the members. Many point out that the prudent assistance on one major decision may pay the membership fees for the rest of their lives.
Cooperators can call on the field person at any time for advice on special problems.
Members often feel that this service alone is worth the price of membership. Cooperators learn more about their business since they know whether their net farm income is higher or lower than similar farms in the area. They soon discover the strong and weak points of their business and how to correct or eliminate the weaker ones to make their farms more profitable. Organizing the farm business to produce greater income provides a higher standard of living for association members. Farmers and ranchers say that the information in their records gives them an excellent base for future planning.