This Quicken self-study manual comes from the demand of Ohio producers for assistance on using an inexpensive, easy to use program for farm record keeping. The objective of this manual is for Quicken users to begin keeping farm records on their home computer by following the step by step procedures outlined in each chapter.
This manual is written for Quicken 2001. We will make every attempt to keep the manual updated with each new version. Future manuals and updates will be available in OSU Extension offices and on the OSU Extension Ohioline web site. In most cases the basics needed to begin your farm record keeping will not change with a newer version.
A commonly asked question is "Which version of Quicken should I get for my farm records?" Within Quicken 2001, there are three different products, Quicken Basic 2001, Quicken Deluxe 2001 and Quicken Home & Business 2001. It has been our experience that farm record keeping can be done with the basic program, e.g., Quicken Basic 2001. However if your farm business requires you to create customer invoices and track payables and/or receivables, you may need the Quicken Home & Business version.
The manual draws on Farm Cash Record Keeping with Quicken, materials developed and written by Dr. Richard Duvick, retired Extension Specialist, Farm Management. A majority of the topics within Additional Quicken Topics come directly from those original materials. The section "Farm Financial Records - What is Needed and How to Get Them" included in the manual is also written by Dr. Duvick. Dick initiated the first computerized farm record keeping workshops using Quicken in the early 1990's.
We would also like to acknowledge Lee Ann Johnson, OSU Extension - East District Office, for her invaluable help and assistance in typing this manual.
John Barker
David Miller
Barry Ward