Since 1998, Central Tech’s Agribusiness Management (ABM) Program has grown from finance and loan management assistance for farmers, to a full-range of services for all agriculture enthusiasts, farmers and ranchers.
The ABM program is a client-based program focused on providing customized solutions. Central Tech’s goal is to provide agriculturalists with the resources needed to solve the challenges unique to agricultural operations.
“I work hard to stay connected with the agricultural community within Central Tech’s district,” said Julie Griffin, ABM coordinator. “I’m constantly accumulating information and resources to help people expand operations, find solutions to problems, and learn new technologies that are easy to incorporate into their systems.”
Recently Griffin started a beekeeping program. The beginning beekeeping course give students a firm foundation on the skills needed to raise and keep bees.
“I realized the district had a lot of interest in beekeeping,” Grffin said. “We had two classes last year, and more than 35 people attended, with some students driving more than an hour to attend the class.”
Central Tech serves agriculturalists with one-on-one individualized consultations, scheduled classes, and structured workshops focusing on recordkeeping, livestock, crops, marketing and more.
The ABM program strives to be a go-to resource for agriculturalists of all ventures by staying up-to-date with agricultural technology, the Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS), and Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs as a result of the Farm Bill. Central Tech partners with various agencies to bring specialized expertise within reach of clients in the district.
“We have 13 students in our current beekeeping class, and are planning another one in May,” Griffin said. “Additional educational opportunities scheduled for 2015 include: beginning gardening, poisonous pest identification, wildfire prevention, livestock health and wild crafting.”
To learn more about the ABM program, or to inquire about a future class, plan to attend Central Tech’s 45 Open House on February 15, from 1-4pm in Drumright and visit Julie Griffin in the Seminar Center.
