Anyone that is farming full time knows that the bottom line is making a profit.

Doug Frodl knows.

He is an advisor in the Farm Business Management Program at Riverland Community College. He lives near St. Ansgar, Iowa, on 10 acres with his family. He is one of 15 instructors in Minnesota's Farm Business program. He works in southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

"I help farmers with keeping proper records on their income and expenses as well as specializing in swine production," Frodl said.

Frodl understands the ins and outs of farming first hand. He grew up on a farm near Meridan. He farmed for three years and learned the hard way how farming can work and not work.

He went to college and graduated in 1992 from the University of Minnesota. He triple-majored in Ag Business Management, Ag Sales and Marketing, and Production Ag. He currently is enrolled in the University of Minnesota's Outreach Program for Continuing Education to receive his five-year teacher's license.

Frodl is dedicated to helping farmers fine-tune their businesses through the Farm Business Management Program. By being enrolled in the program the farmers have regular contact with him right on their farms and it also involved walk throughs and record-keeping.

"The program is curriculum-based and is delivered with 10 credits per year. I have been with Riverland's FBM program for two and half years and really enjoy helping farmers succeed. It had to start with earning the trust and confidence of the farmers and is continued on the principle of providing quality education and vision for the future. The FBM program takes a lot of time to do right," Frodl said.

January through March, individual farm analysis are done on the records farmers have kept during the preceding year and accrual adjustment are made to inventories. From that, the student is provided with a complete account of how their business performed. The people he works with are all ages.

"I help them look at their businesses proactively and do a S.W.O.T. analysis, (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). In my area of expertise I do a lot of walk throughs and have the opportunity to see things differently than someone who is there every day and may overlook something. There have been times when a hog barn may be too cold and silently eats away at feed costs, unknown to management. I advise them on feed updates and changes to remain competitive. I continually look for ways to improve their bottom line and business," Frodl said.

The Farm Business Management Program at Riverland is associated with five other regions in Minnesota and provides a way for farmers to compare their operation against other farmers who may or may not be doing the same things.

Frodl has seen significant cost savings for farmers involved in the program.

"With margins being cut routinely I have seen one feed or management change lower cost of production by $2 a pig. So no matter if you raise 2,000 or 200,000 pigs, the cost of continuing education is really cheap," Frodl said.

Frodl helps farmers make and save money, keep records and better manage their businesses.

In order to do a complete job of walk throughs Frodl received a grant from the State of Minnesota to purchase the necessary equipment. He's taking classes toward a master's degree, at the University of Minnesota, attends seminars and workshops to keep ahead of this rapidly-changing field.

Frodl is a spiritual man and says that God has guided him to find this job he loves.

"I get personal satisfaction knowing I have helped these people reach their goals. In this mature market it is not always about getting bigger, but getting smarter in the business," Frodl said.

Love of his work and knowing he has taken the right path is important to Frodl. The job is not exactly easy, but yet it is easy on his conscience because he sees the good it does.

"The student wins by improving his business, the school benefits by providing the education and the bank or feed supplier wins in knowing their customer is succeeding thanks to their support. This program is truly in the best interest of the farmers and is working very well," Frodl said.

Sheila Donnelly can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at newsroom@austindailyherald.com