Agricultural Economist

RESPONSIBILITIES: The foundation of the KFMA program is providing education and consultation to member farms in the area of farm business management.  KFMA Economists strive to provide cooperating farms with resources to make informed financial, production, and tax management decisions. In order to achieve this goal, an Extension Agricultural Economist is expected to:

1. Develop and maintain a relationship with membership of approximately 80 cooperating commercial farms
2. Assist cooperating farms with development of a comprehensive and accurate accounting of the farm.  Complete records are the essential foundation of all KFMA services provided
3. Provide KFMA members with:
   1. Regular, scheduled on-farm visits each year (at times requiring extensive travel within the association)
   2. An annual accrual whole-farm business analysis utilizing KFMA software to collect and process information
   3. An annual economic analysis of farm enterprises
   4. Benchmarks of farm performance in comparison to similar farms and/or industry standards
   5. Guidance based on interpretation of whole-farm, enterprise, and benchmark analysis
   6. Guidance and recommendations in estate planning, farm succession planning, and business entity structure
4. Learn and understand federal and state income tax regulations as they apply to farm businesses.  This includes significant time spent working with members on:
   1. Tax implications of farm business management decisions
   2. Year-end tax planning and management
   3. Preliminary income tax related work for KFMA NW members
   4. Final income tax filing as an employee of Northwest Kansas Agricultural Tax Services, Inc. (with consulting leave time taken from Extension Agricultural Economist position)
5. Collect, process, and verify financial and production information from cooperating farms to be utilized by K-State Research and Extension for research, teaching, and other Extension programs
6. Market and promote KFMA by supporting county, area, and state Extension personnel with technical expertise in the area of farm business and farm income tax management
7. Participate in continuing education to expand farm income tax and farm management technical skills

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:           

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Education, Finance, or related field and at least three years of acceptable performance in a position in one of the following areas: agricultural economics, agricultural finance, agribusiness, accounting or closely related field

             OR

• Master's degree in Agricultural Economics, Accounting or related field

              AND

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all college coursework
• Minimum of 6 hours of coursework in accounting
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups
• Evidence of solid planning, prioritization and organizational skills
• Good understanding of production agriculture
• Ability to effectively utilize computer technology, software and applications
• Demonstrated expertise in understanding and communicating sound farm accounting principles and economic relationships in agriculture
• Strong attention to detail
• Self-discipline to work independently, and flexibility to work as part of a team
• Ability to handle a workload that varies depending on the time of year (heavy workload required November-April)

Preferred:        

• Tax-related accounting coursework
• Farm income-tax preparation experience