BURLINGTON — In order to make profitable business decisions, farmers need to have a good handle on their finances, including a viable business plan and recordkeeping system.
Beginning March 14, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension farm business educators will offer individual consultations to provide help with updating financial records, developing a balance sheet or farm budget, marketing or strategic planning or answers to other business questions. The 90-minute sessions will be offered at 10 locations in the state.
Farmers are asked to register at www.regonline.com/march17clinics. The cost is $25.
Farm business clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
Barre: March 14 and 21; UVM Extension Office, 327 U.S. Rte. 302, Ste. 1
Bennington: March 20 and 21; UVM Extension Office, 310 Main St.
Brattleboro: March 22 and 23; UVM Extension Office, 130 Austine Dr., Ste. 300
Middlebury: March 30 and 31; Farm Service Agency, 68 Catamount Park
Morrisville: March 16 and 22; UVM Extension Office, 29 Sunset Dr., Ste. 2
Newport: March 14 and 16; UVM Extension Office, 316 Main St., Ste. 101
Randolph: March 23 and 24; Vermont Tech Enterprise Center, 1540 Vermont Rte. 66
Rutland: March 27 and 28; UVM Extension Office, 271 North Main St., Ste. 110
St. Albans: March 21 and 23; UVM Extension Office, 278 South Main St., Ste. 2
St. Johnsbury: March 16 and 17; UVM Extension Office, 374 Emerson Falls Rd.
Sessions will focus on the financial planning needs of the individual farm and any farm business questions the farmer may have.Farmers should bring relevant business records including recent bank statements, farm bookkeeping reports, their most recent IRS Schedule F tax form, loan documentation and any farm notes used to track past production and yields. They also may bring a copy of their business plan or draft plan if they wish to use the time to discuss business planning.
Anyone who requires a disability-related accommodation to participate is asked to call Christi Sherlock, toll-free at (866) 860-1382, two weeks prior to the scheduled session.
—UVM Extension
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