By Marlene Fritz (208/364-4010 in Boise)

BOISE, Idaho–The University of Idaho College of Agriculture is once again offering training in Western Integrated Ranch/Farm Education to Idaho agricultural producers. The first six-day program is slated for southeastern Idaho producers in Montpelier Jan. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Planning is under way for additional trainings in southcentral Idaho later this winter.

WIRE takes producers through an intensive process of examining their ranching and farming operations from physical, biological, financial and human standpoints. Participants build intra-family communications skills, prioritize their strategic goals, inventory their resources, identify potential weak links and practice analyzing individual enterprises as stand-alone units and as parts of the whole. They also learn how to identify and evaluate ideas for alternative enterprises that could rope in additional income.

Team-taught by University of Idaho extension educators and by extension agricultural economist Wilson Gray, the Montpelier WIRE training will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at about 8 or 9 p.m. each day.

Participants are encouraged to attend as pairs or teams from each ranch or farm. Fees, which include evening meals, are $250 per individual and lower--$200–per pair.

To register or for more information, call UI extension educator Joel Packham at (208) 945-2265 in Paris.