Riverland Community College Farm Business Management Program  is one of only six programs nationwide who received the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program Award on November 16 at the NAAE annual convention in St. Louis.

Thomas Anderson has been the farm management business instructor at Riverland Community College since 1997.  Prior to this position, Anderson taught high school agriculture in Plainview for 18 years, and saw a need for continuing management education, as many of his former students were now farmers.  As a result, he applied and was hired for the teaching position at Riverland Community College in order to ensure his former students received a quality postsecondary education in farm business management.

“I see him working a lot of extra hours and providing his clients with the analysis information they need to make business decisions as his office is located in our bank building,” said Tom Deming, a community supporter of Anderson’s program and Senior Vice President of First National Bank.  “He has been an excellent resource to our customers but also to other lenders in the area, in providing data that is needed to help his clients.”

As an educator, Anderson’s philosophy is simple - students first.  He believes the success of his program comes from developing his students’ interests through curriculum that meets and exceeds their educational needs.  His students set goals for their business and Anderson assist them to reach them.  He uses a variety of learning techniques such as traditional on-farm visits, webinars featuring producers and lenders that discuss topics such as analyses and cash flows, and guest speakers followed by small discussion sessions on issues like employee management and strategic planning to reach each type of learner and enhance their desire to learn and retain knowledge.

“Tom Anderson has taken a Farm Business Management program from ‘ground zero’ to the top in 13 years through his perseverance, dedication to hard work and a strong belief in the people he works with,” said John Hobert, colleague and fellow Farm Business Management instructor at Riverland Community College.  “He uses technology in his program to deliver education through the use of webinars, internet delivery system, and tele-conferencing.”

Each of the six regional Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Program Award winners received a plaque, expense paid trip to attend the NAAE convention in St Louis, and a two-year lease on a 2011 Toyota Tundra.  Toyota sponsors the Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program Award.  NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators.  Its mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.”  The NAAE office is located in Lexington, Ky.

The Riverland Farm Business Management program is designed to help organize a farmer's resources to assist in meeting family and financial goals. Courses explore various topics including: economic principles, farm practices, agricultural science, new developments in the field and decision making skills. Instructors primarily work with clients/students one on one.