Hello! I'm passing along the following press release about Taking Stock, a new course to be offered this fall by the Women's Agricultural Network. We'd really appreciate if you could spread the word to farmers who may be interested. With thanks, Deb Heleba FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beth Holtzman, [log in to unmask] or 802-223-2389 x15 New Course to Address the Needs of Maturing Farm Businesses Burlington, VT -- The University of Vermont Women’s Agricultural Network (WAgN) is offering a new course to help experienced farm business owners focus on key issues of maturing businesses. The course, Taking Stock, will start October 25 and is designed for farmers who have been in business for at least five years. "It's easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day business of running a farm that you forget to step back and ask yourself, 'How healthy is this business? Is this business still making me happy?'" said WAgN director Mary Peabody. "This course will help participants take that step to assess their operations and help them manage their way to healthy farm businesses." Taking Stock participants will learn how to take a critical look at their businesses, re-assess what is working and discover where some fine-tuning might be needed. Topics will include financial analysis, legal issues, labor management, business transition planning, among others. The 12-hour class will be held in South Burlington on four consecutive Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting on October 25 and running through November 15. The fee is $135 and covers registration and all materials. As part of this pilot course, participants will be eligible to receive a $100 rebate on the registration fee in return for completing an in-depth evaluation of the course. To register, please make two separate checks (one for $35 and one for $100) payable to UVM Extension and mail to: Women's Agricultural Network, 617 Comstock Rd., Suite 5, Berlin, VT 05602. Please register by October 17. Additional information can be found on the WAgN website at www.uvm.edu/wagn/womeninag.html or by contacting Beth Holtzman at [log in to unmask] or 802-223-2389 x15. Taking Stock is offered by the Women’s Agricultural Network (WAgN) a program of University of Vermont Extension supported by the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA and the USDA Risk Management Agency. UVM Extension and USDA, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or familial status. -- Debra Heleba University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture 63 Carrigan Drive Burlington, Vermont 05405 v 802.656.0233 f 802.656.8874 [log in to unmask] www.uvm.edu/landlinkvt