Women in Agriculture (WAgN)

If your bottom line depends on holiday sales you are probably worried about how the slowing economy will impact your business. But could this be an opportunity?

Certainly if a customer has lost their job or is threatened with having their home foreclosed on then they may need to re-assess their spending and it is possible that their new budget will not accommodate your products.

But, there is still a strong core of the workforce that is employed, or at least financially secure, and many of them are becoming increasingly disheartened by the behavior of large corporations. It is entirely reasonable to expect that they are looking for an alternative. What better strategy than buying local? It might be that the silver lining of our current economic situation is that people will pull back and look to their local communities to meet more of their food and fiber needs.

Check out 10 Trends for Near Future to see what Marian Salzman, trendspotter, has to say. Of particular interest is her take on small and local, food anxiety, and value vs. cost. You can hear her talking about these trends on Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve site.

Ever had a great idea for a product, service or some little gadget that would save you time or money? Then you watch while someone else brings "your" idea to market. Well there's no reason why you shouldn't get the credit and the cash for your great ideas. There are organizations all over the country that are standing by ready to help you figure out how to patent your idea, get a prototype produced and figure out the logistics of getting your product to market.

In Vermont, we have a nonprofit organization, Invent Vermont that offers regular education and networking opportunities as well as support for inventors and wannabe inventors. To find an organization in your area check with your state Small Business Administration Office or local Chamber of Commerce.