October 16, 2024
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelly Mayer
800-947-7379
mail@pdpw.org
 
Image of students in class
Program logo
Program flier
 
 
Register Today for Dairy-Specific Financial Training
Level One of PDP Financial Literacy for Dairy Begins November 12
 
DAIRY NEWS – Invest in the future of your dairy business by building a strong understanding of farm financials and how those numbers impact today’s profitability and the operation’s long-term sustainability. Registration deadline is nearing for the 2024-25 PDP Financial Literacy for Dairy®, featuring two levels of training tailored to today’s dairy industry and taught by renowned dairy financial experts.
 
“Level One of Financial Literacy for Dairy will help take you from ground zero to where you have a better grasp on what a lender is looking for and what you need to make smart business decisions,” said Jake Hoewisch, Howeisch Homestead, Fremont, Wis.   
 
Level One of Financial Literacy for Dairy provides four days of training in two sessions: Nov. 12-13, 2024, and Dec. 4-5, 2024. All participants will complete an online assessment at registration to determine the course level best suited to them. The online assessment must be taken before November 7.
 
All sessions will be held at PDP headquarters in Juneau, Wis, with each class limited to 30 participants. The multi-session courses are designed for dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists and other agribusiness professionals to learn key skills and strategies they can put to work at their business before returning to the next session.
 
Level One courses will expand on core financial concepts and prepare for practical application, covering:

• Goal setting
• Accrual adjustments
• Balance sheet principles for all entities, reflecting cost basis and fair-market value
• Cash income statement to measure profitability

 
Level Two of the program is available to those who successfully complete Level One or those who test into this course. Beginning in January 2025, this phase provides six days of training over three sessions: Jan. 22-23, 2025; Feb. 5-6, 2025; and Feb. 26-27, 2025, providing a deeper look at more comprehensive financial tools and reporting methods.
 
Both course levels are taught by dairy financial experts with focus in on-farm management and farm lending:

• Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, PhD, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville and UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist. Dr. Bernhardt has received the Underkofler Excellence in Teaching award, the UW-Extension second mile award and the National Extension award for excellence. He received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, master’s degree from North Carolina State and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska.
• David Coggins, senior financial leader and retired agricultural loan officer, grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm and graduated from UW-River Falls with an agriculture degree. He began work for the Farm Credit system as a loan officer, worked for the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, then served in a senior leadership role for Farm Credit in St. Cloud, Minn. Coggins concluded his banking career in 2023 at Nicolet National Bank and continues to serve in leadership roles with state and national banking and agricultural organizations.

 
Dairy producers who participate in the program are encouraged to check with partners involved in the “Count on Us” program, which affords attendees an opportunity for full or partial scholarships to the Financial Literacy for Dairy program. The agricultural partners involved in the Count on Us program recognize the value that comprehensive financial training provides to dairy producers and have committed to offering financial support to eligible registrants. In such cases, class attendees pay the training program fee to PDP upon registration, then consult with their “Count on Us” partners to determine the scholarship amount.
 
“Count on Us” partners include AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Bank of Brodhead, BMO, BouMatic, Bremer Bank, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Compeer Financial, Dairy Business Consulting, Inc., Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Lake Ridge Bank, Nicolet Bank, and Rabo AgriFinance. Check the PDP website for updates and contact PDP to suggest specific partners that might consider joining as a Count on Us partner.
 
To register and find local hotel accommodations, visit www.pdpw.org or contact PDP at 800-947-7379. Upon registration, attendees will receive an email from PDP with a link to complete an online placement test to be properly placed into Level 1 or 2. An email notification confirming level placement will be sent immediately upon test submission.
 
PDP Financial Literacy for Dairy is accredited for up to 32.0 Dairy AdvanCE continuing education credits for Level One and up to 48.0 Dairy AdvanCE continuing education credits for Level Two.
 
Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following PDP on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation's largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed."
 
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