The Cass County Extension is offering Farm Bill Computer Lab workshops to help local residents get the most out of online decision-making tools using current farm data and price projections to help guide their decision making regarding programs and options available through the new Farm Bill. Officials say participants in the workshops will be asked to bring certain farm data, enter that data into online decision tools, choose anticipated price scenarios and evaluate possible outcomes based on program choices. Participants should be able to increase their confidence when making choices regarding base reallocation, yield update and farm bill program selection for farms.

Workshops in Atlantic are scheduled for Thursday, January 8th and will be held at Iowa Western Community College in Atlantic. Classes will meet in the computer lab, and computers will be supplied for all participants. Currently, there are two available workshop times on the 8th- an afternoon session from 1-4 PM, and an evening session from 6-9 PM. Tim Eggers, ISU Extension Field Agricultural
Economist, will be on hand to explain the decision tools and walk participants through the data entry and price selection options. Workshops are scheduled for three hour time slots, but some participants may need less time than this, depending on the number of farms entered and the number of scenarios run.

Pre-Registration is required at least 2 days in advance by calling 712-243-1132. Registration is limited to the number of computer workspaces available, so please register early to save your seat. There is a $5 fee required for registration to offset program costs. Please call the Cass County Extension Office or email keolson@iastate.edu<mailto:keolson@iastate.edu> with any program questions.

Additional Farm Bill Computer Lab workshops in Southwest Iowa are scheduled at Southwestern Community College in Creston on Wednesday, January 7th or at Southwestern Community College in Red Oak on either Wednesday, January 14 or Wednesday, January 28. For more information, or to register for these sites, please call 877-596-7243.