annie’s project by: shannon dill, university of maryland extension jenny rhodes, university of...
TRANSCRIPT
ANNIE’S PROJECT
By: Shannon Dill, University of Maryland Extension
Jenny Rhodes, University of Maryland Extension
Interacting with Annie’s Participants
Objective Annie’s project is designed to empower
farmwomen to manage information systems used in critical decision making processes and to build local networks throughout the state. The target audience is farmwomen with a passion for business and involvement in the farm operation.
Focus on the five areas of risk management – Production, Market, Financial, Legal and Human Resources
Used similar formats from the Mid-West with some topic changes – QuickBooks, Small Farms, New Farms
Annie’s Project 2008 - 19 participants, 1 site 2009 - 24 participants, 1 site
Annie’s Project
2010 – 146 participants, 9 sites
_____ Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Annapolis, MD
_____ Carroll Community College, Westminster, MD
_____ Cecil County Economic Development Office, Elkton, MD_____ Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD_____ Garrett College, McHenry, MD_____ New Castle County Extension Office, Newark, DE_____ Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, California, MD_____ Sussex County Extension Office UD Carvel Research & Education Center, Georgetown DE_____ Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, MD
_____ Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Annapolis, MD
_____ Carroll Community College, Westminster, MD
_____ Cecil County Economic Development Office, Elkton, MD_____ Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD_____ Garrett College, McHenry, MD_____ New Castle County Extension Office, Newark, DE_____ Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, California, MD_____ Sussex County Extension Office UD Carvel Research & Education Center, Georgetown DE_____ Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, MD
Collaborators are Key
Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation Lisa Barge, Economic Development Specialist
Carroll Community College Ginger Myers, UME Marketing Specialist
Beth Woodring, Carroll County Small Business Development
Cecil County Economic Development Office, JoAnn Richart-Young, Cecil County Economic Development Ilene Milburn, Farmer and Past Participant of Annie's
Chesapeake College Jenny Rhodes, Extension Educator Shannon Dill, Extension Educator
Garrett College Willie Lantz, Extension Educator Cheryl DeBerry, Garrett County Ag Marketing Specialist
New Castle County Extension Office Maria Pippidis, Extension Agent, FCS Anna Stoops, Extension Agent
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center Ben Beale, Extension Educator Christine Bergmark, Southern MD Tri County Council
Sussex County Extension Office UD Carvel Research & Education Center Tracey Wootten, Extension Agent
Washington County Extension Office Lynn Little, Extension Educator, FCS Leslie Hendrickson, Washington County Ag Marketing
Specialist
- Have had many collaborators in the past 3 years
2010 site facilitators and project team
- Have had many collaborators in the past 3 years
2010 site facilitators and project team
Annies Project Funding Participant Cost - $50.00 Grant Funding from
USDA – NorthEast Center for Risk Management Education
USDA – Risk Management Agency Rural MD Council -The Maryland Agricultural
Education & Rural Development Assistance Fund USDA, Farm Service Agency
In-kind support from Local sites and facilities Local agencies and businesses that support the
agriculture industry University of Maryland Extension
Technology Internet
Annie’s Website www.anniesproject.umd.edu Email
Project team Participants (snow dates, facility information)
Adobe Connect Sites have a choice to “tune in” or have their own local
session Team Wiki
Project team can access for materials and handouts
Marketing Word of mouth Local papers and media outlets Marketing at other
Extension Events
Annie’s Project Generating interest in other women in
agriculture programs Regional Women in Ag Conference Annie’s Project Bus Tour visited 2 participant
farms - a vineyard and orchard.
Curriculum
Production Risk – Crop Insurance, enterprise diversification, natural disasters, new technology
Financial Risk – Financing, business plans, credit, business organization
Marketing Risk – Direct/Grain marketing, marketing plans, tools, contracts, value added
Legal Risk – Estate management, liability insurance, contracts and agreements
Human Resources Risk – Personnel management, health, family issues, safety
Class Outline
8 Sessions 6 classroom and 2 in the computer labSession One
Registration/Introductions Class Survey Women in Farm Business: A Personal Experience Colors Personality Test
Session Two Crop Insurance Understanding your Farm Insurance Policy 2008 Farm Bill Update
Session Three How Property is Titled: Who Else is in business with you? Business Planning
Class Outline
Session Four Computer Basics and Minimizing Technology-Related Risk
Intro to computers and Excel basics
Session Five Computers and Your Farm Business
Excel and QuickBooks
Session Six Straight Talk about Farm Transfer Estate Planning
Session Seven Developing Grain Marketing Plans
Session Eight Annie’s Graduation Class’s Chosen Topics Course Wrap-Up
Impacts
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Change Insurance Policy
Change Lease/Property
Title
Write Farm Business Plan
Use Computers & Sofware
Complete Farm Financial Stmts
Create/Update Estate Plan
Percentage
Comments
“Overall I learned so much I feel empowered to run a farm business”
“All of it was good. There wasn’t a day I didn’t learn something”
“Meeting other farm women and learning together from Annie’s Project but most of all realizing that we were privileged to be part of the concept that finally farm women have been empowered.”
Follow-up Evaluations after 1 to 2 years
Follow-up Evaluations after 1 to 2 years
Comments
“We have had family meetings, formed a family limited partnership, and we are now aware of other things we can do to improve our farming efficiency”
“We have met with a lawyer to work on an estate plan” “Launched a new agri-business entity since participating
in Annie’s” “This is a very good program. It was a great way to learn
and enjoy a friendly atmosphere to ask questions about farming and the speakers presentations.”
Future Annie’s Projects
Possible Annie’s Class Reunions Annie’s Tours of Participants Farms Targeted Workshop trainings and follow up Annie’s 2011
Apply for a additional grant funding to continue offering Annie’s Project in the Region
