Master Marketer Program — Amarillo

Agriculture producers must develop better marketing skills to improve their bottom line in times of greater market price volatility, and the Master Marketer Program is the place to get that training. The next Master Marketer Program will begin Jan. 21-22 and continue Feb. 4-5, Feb. 18-19 and March 2-3. All the meetings will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center of Amarillo, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.

A free futures and options leveling workshop for anyone who doesn’t think they are ready for intermediate to advanced level training will be held on Jan. 20 before the program begins.

Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension will be leading a group of instructors from within the agency, several universities and private industries to put on the Master Marketer Program in Amarillo.

Master Marketer is a national award-winning risk-management educational program where participants learn how to develop marketing plans, evaluate marketing alternatives, manage production and price risk, and execute a risk management and marketing plan, he said.

A wide range of topics are covered to enhance marketing/risk management skills. Case studies, group discussions and simulation exercises will be used to provide experience with real tools that can be used on individual farm and ranch operations.

The 64-hour curriculum is offered as four, two-day sessions held every two weeks. It is the most intensive marketing/risk management training provided by AgriLife Extension anywhere in the U.S.

The final date to register is Jan. 10, but since only 60 participants can be accepted, the class fills up fast so those interested are encouraged to register early.

The registration fee for the program is $340, which includes noon meals and educational materials. Previous registrants say it is well worth the money, reporting their incomes have increased more than $35,000 per year on average.

The training in the Amarillo area will focus on feed grains, cotton, wheat and livestock, he said.

Program costs are partially covered by grants from sponsors, including the Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Farm Bureau, the Cotton State Support Committee, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board and the Texas Wheat Producers Board.

For more detailed information about the Master Marketer Program, including evaluation results from previous classes and registration brochure go to . Individuals can register by filling out the brochure and sending a check or using the preferred method to register online by credit card.