Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

Risk Management Education for Farmwomen

J. Hunter
Department of Agricultural Economics

 

Project Description

Kentucky´s Annie’s Project is an extension risk management education program geared to the needs of our farmwomen. The primary objective is to empower them to manage critical decision-making processes and to build local networks throughout the state. During the six-week (18 hours) class, farmwomen receive hands-on training in five areas of risk management including production risk, market risk, financial risk, legal risk, and human resources risk. Pilot locations of Annie’s Project were held at three sites during 2006/20007.  Over 75 women graduated from the program. The intent of Annie’s Project is for all participants to develop a greater understanding of their operations and to become a more active partner on their farm. Annie’s Project offers extension the unique opportunity to target an underserved farm audience. According to the 2002 census of agriculture, Kentucky has over 8,000 farms with women serving as the primary operator and over 28,000 farms with women as an operator; this ranks Kentucky sixth in top states for women as principal farm operators. Women become part of the farming operation for many reasons, in some cases farming may be the woman’s chosen occupation; however, in many other cases women become part of a farming operation by marrying into a farm family or wives and daughters may inherit a farm either through death or divorce. Farmwomen have traditionally been an underserved audience in Kentucky, and in today’s post-tobacco economy, where some farming operations may be struggling to meet financial obligations; women need to be prepared to make decisions regarding their farming operations. Annie’s Project offers farmwomen the opportunity for risk management education to help fill this void.

Impact

Pilot sessions for Annie’s Project have been conducted across the state; the response from farmwomen has been very positive. From the initial response from farmwomen, they are eager to participate because this is a unique hands-on program targeted specifically to their concerns on their farming operation. We currently have a waiting list of farmwomen across the state for the next round of the program. Impact and accomplishements of the pilot program are numerous and supported the decision to launch the program statewide in 2007/2008.  Over 75% of the participants completed written goal and mission statements; additionally, participants were provided with the software and instruction to complete a written business plan for their operation.  Also, participants were provided with the tools to make cost-benefit analyis decisions for both marketing and purchases. 

The ultimate success of Annie's Project will be measured by a series of short-term, mid-term, and long-term impacts. Short term impacts were apparent by the conclusion of the initial programs.  Farm women were aware of a program designed to fit their needs, which provided answers, strength, and friendships in effort to help legitimize the farm womens’ role in decision making. Mid-term and long-term impacts are still to be evaluated; however, target goals have been established.  Mid-term impacts are for farmwomen to take on active management roles that they previously felt unqualified to do.

Additionally, we would like to offer advance courses to provide women with second and third level skill development. The long-term outcome is for farmwomen to develop a clear purpose of farm management tools and skills, which will increase their satisfaction personally, and as members of their rural societies.