Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosts Annie’s Project in Region 26

The Davis, Jefferson, Van Buren, and Wapello County Extension Offices recently concluded Annie’s Project, a six-week program for Women in Agriculture.

The six weeks of programs were held in the Jefferson County office and utilized speakers from various counties in southeast Iowa. Paul Martin, Farm Management Specialist, facilitated the program.

According to Martin, “The role of any Extension Service is to deliver unbiased information to the public whenever and wherever. Annie's Project graduates trusted that we would deliver an excellent program on the five requirements that the national Annie’s Project organization says must be facilitated. What a great time for our women participants to engage with professionals in five areas of risk management: financial, human resources, legal, marketing, and production. It was great to work with a diverse group of women with an ag experience range that was literally none to working their entire life on a farm.”

Fourteen women participated in this program. The first week, Shannon Bielicke, Ag and Natural Resources Program Coordinator in Johnson County, presented the Real Colors Workshop, a personality instrument used to help participants learn about their personality style and how to work with those around them of similar or varying personality types.

For session two, Gretchen McLain and Sophie Bell, of Farm Credit Services, presented about basic financial documents and crop insurance. The evening concluded with Ann DeHart and other USDA Farm Service Agency representatives sharing information about farm programs.

The third week, Allie Hagberg of Big River Resources shared information on Grain Marketing. Vanessa Willman of Foss, Kuiken, Cochran, Helling, and Willman, PC facilitated a discussion and answered participants’ questions about estate planning.

Gretchen McLain of Farm Credit Services joined the group again during week 4 to share an analysis of financial documents. Samantha Choate and Nichole Rotenburger, of Farm Bureau Financial Services in Fairfield, presented about insurance for farm families. The night concluded with specialist Paul Martin leading an activity on farmland leasing.

Carol Ehlers, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences specialist, began week 5 of the program with a farm family finances activity. Brooke Guthrie, of USDA NRCS, joined to talk about Farm Conservation Programs, and specialist Paul Martin ended the night with presenting information on using Ag Decision Maker.

The final night of the program, Dawn Dunnegan, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences specialist, led the presentation and discussion Stress of the Farm. Wyatt Mohr, of Livestock Risk Partners, presented about livestock risk protection. The last night of the program was also graduation night. Participants received certificates and shared information about what they had learned and enjoyed throughout the program.

According to Martin, “One of the most memorable things I remember hearing from participants was 'why didn't we learn this in high school?' This six-week course is extremely rewarding to any woman, and I invite you to visit your local ISU Extension and Outreach office to find out more about how the program can create an impact in life."

Many participants echoed that they found the course very valuable and were not ready for it to end after six weeks.

County staff in Davis, Jefferson, Van Buren, and Wapello County Extension Offices would like to thank all the presenters for their time in presenting and answering questions. They would like to thank those who served on the steering committee and helped to market this program to participants in their communities. To learn more about Women in Ag offerings from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and to view upcoming programs, visit their website at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag/