Scholarships Available for Next Master Marketers Program

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-6101, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Jackie Smith, (806) 746-6101, email: j-smith34@tamu.edu

LUBBOCK – Two agricultural lenders are offering scholarships for young producers who want to participate in
the next Master Marketers session, according to a Texas A&M economist.

“Ag Texas, headquartered here in Lubbock, and Great Plains Ag Credit, headquartered in Amarillo, have
graciously decided to pay one-half of the tuition fee for producers 35 years old or younger,” said Jackie Smith,
Texas Cooperative Extension economist. “The tuition fee is $250, so each scholarship is worth $125.

“This is a substantial financial commitment from these two lenders, but it is a good investment. Marketing
education is one of the best investments of time and money that any producer can make.”

The first of four 2003 Master Marketer Program sessions begins on January 22. Sign-up for this intensive
marketing and risk management education program is still under way.

Participants will learn how to identify and evaluate marketing opportunities, and then design and follow through
with sound marketing plans.

“Farm program benefits under the new farm bill will be directly and substantially affected by both market
direction and changes in market prices,” Smith said. “The key to successfully dealing with that risk is a good
working knowledge of farm program provisions and the forces likely to drive prices up or down in the futures
and cash markets.”

“Several of our speakers in the upcoming Master Marketer program will discuss special price risk management
tools producers can use to offset that risk.”

Texans can get registration forms or more information by calling Smith at (806) 746-6101, or their local county
Extension office. You can also learn more about the Master Marketer program on the Internet at:
http://mastermarketer.tamu.edu .