Creating a transition plan to make sure a farm continues as a productive business can be challenging. Farm women can learn how to plan a successful farm transition in a five-session course offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The “Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Farm Transition Planning” program, a new Annie’s Project course, has been scheduled in Van Horne, Iowa on Thursday evenings, March 13th through April 10th.

 

Annie’s Project, Managing for Today and Tomorrow will be meeting from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a light meal at 5:45 p.m. Thursday evenings starting March 13th through April 10th at the Van Horne Community Center in Van Horne, Iowa.

 

Pre-registration is required to attend by March 6th at a cost of $75 per person. Registration includes a light meal each night and a 300-page workbook with fact sheets, hands-on activities, and presentations. Register online at www.aep.iastate.edu/annie/mtt/. Course size is limited, so please register soon.

 

Farm women will learn about business, estate, retirement and succession planning from ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and area professionals. In addition to brief presentations, there will be discussions based on participant questions and follow-up activities for family members to complete at home.

 

“We’re happy to be a partner in bringing this valuable program to Benton County,” said Linda Fischer, Regional Extension Education Director, “This farm transition course is an opportunity

for farm women to meet with others who share similar issues and concerns. A small class size makes it comfortable for everyone to speak up and get questions answered.”

 

Annie’s Project, an agricultural risk management education program for women, has successfully reached more than 8,000 farmers and ranchers in 30 states. “This new Farm Transition program emphasizes the role women play in helping transfer farms from one generation to the next,” said Ryan Drollette, ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist. “Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Farm Transition Planning will empower women to take ownership of the future of their farms,” said Ryan. Farm Credit Services of America is a statewide sponsor of Annie’s Project courses.

 

For more information contact Ryan Drollette, ISUEO Farm Management Specialist at 319-337-2145, drollett@iastate.edu or Greg Walston, County Extension Program Director for the Benton County Extension and Outreach office at 319-472-4739, gwalston@iastate.edu.

 

Managing for Today and Tomorrow is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2011-49400-30584. More information can be found on the Annie’s Project website at www.extension.iastate.edu/annie.