Strategic Advantage has already developed a wide range of industry linkages including all major farm and commodity organizations in Iowa, the lending community and the farm press. In the next five years, we will work with these groups to improve recruitment and financial support for the program. Linkages with other universities offering management development programs for farmers and farmer-owned businesses will be strengthened. The primary contact will be with the agribusiness programs at Purdue, particularly their 'Positioning your Farm Business' project. Additional working relationships will be explored with Michigan State University, Ohio State and Cornell University.
Strategic management is a fundamental skill that can be significantly strengthened in most managers.
Secondary audiences for Strategic Advantage include ISUE field staff, farm consultants and advisors and agricultural lenders. The materials and methods used in Strategic Advantage, however, are accessible to all interested parties. Funding to support material development, related applied research, marketing and recruiting and program delivery will be sought from the major agribusiness and farm organizations that have already made long term commitments to the project. Local organizations such as community banks, cooperatives or county-level farm organizations will be asked to sponsor workshops and support participants with scholarships, day care and other services.