Virginia Producers Will Access New Tech Decision Course
Agricultural operators can enroll in a new six-week virtual program to evaluate technology investments.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Agriculture
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The Farm Credit Knowledge Center will launch an educational course titled Invest with Confidence: A Technology Decision-Making Course on October 15, 2026. This virtual program is designed to help agricultural producers vet technology investments before committing capital.
Why it matters
The program addresses the need for producers to perform thorough due diligence on equipment and digital tools before procurement. By providing a structured framework for technology appraisal, the initiative aims to minimize the financial risk associated with farm-level capital outlays.
The program consists of a 6-week curriculum designed to guide technology purchasing decisions. It remains unknown how many producers the organization aims to enroll or if the course will be offered in subsequent cycles.
The players
Farm Credit Knowledge Center
The educational arm of a regional agricultural lending cooperative that provides resources and training to rural businesses.
Farm Credit of the Virginias
A financial cooperative serving agricultural producers and rural homeowners through lending and business support services.
The details
The Farm Credit Knowledge Center, the educational arm of Farm Credit of the Virginias, developed the course to improve the decision-making process for operators. Participants will receive guidance on how to evaluate the long-term utility and ROI of new technology systems. The virtual format allows producers across the region to attend the sessions remotely, removing the need for physical travel to central training hubs.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: The virtual course begins.
Market Landscape
This program aligns with the focus on technical due diligence established by the USDA's Agricultural Management Assistance program. It reflects a shift toward using structured business education as a tool for managing farm-level capital risk in a high-tech environment.
Operators should review their current equipment replacement cycles and consider whether this course provides a necessary framework for their pending technology purchases. Financial officers should determine if the time commitment for this six-week virtual program aligns with seasonal labor demands.
The takeaway
Investment in technology requires a formal vetting process to ensure capital outlays align with long-term farm profitability. Use this six-week window to monitor how regional peers evaluate tech-driven operational upgrades.
Further reading
For broader guidance on managing capital projects, see the resources available in Agriculture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scott County Virginia Star.
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