Charles Brown, of rural Ottumwa, joined Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Feb. 24 as a farm management specialist serving the 12-county southeast Iowa agricultural community. Brown becomes one of eight extension farm management specialists that provide educational opportunities around the state. Through meetings, presentations, Ag Decision Maker newsletter and website, and individual consultations they connect farmers and agribusiness professionals with university research and resources.
“Charles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about farm financial management, risk management and the economics of farming to the ISU Extension and Outreach team,” said John Lawrence, director for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach.
Brown, a lifetime resident of the Ottumwa area and graduate of Iowa State University, has served southeast Iowa farmers throughout his career as a financial and business planning consultant with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Over the years, he has worked closely with ISU Extension and Outreach specialists partnering with Extension and Outreach to offer seminars and workshops, served on the Wapello County Extension Council and several boards at Iowa State University – Center of Agriculture Law and Taxation board and Iowa Grain Quality Initiative committee.
“I have always enjoyed working with ISU Extension and Outreach and believe it is important for people to have a place to go for unbiased information,” said Brown. “Farmers have had several very good years recently, but the next few years will be different. There are things they will need to think about as they consider their finances and how to manage their risks. I’m looking forward to being their extension farm management specialist and bringing information to them so they can make those decisions.”
Brown’s office is located at the Mahaska County Extension Office, 212 North I Street, Oskaloosa. He can be reached by emailing crbrown@iastate.edu or calling 641-673-5841.
Ag Decision Maker (AgDM) 
An agricultural economics and business website.
