COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A risk management and business program tailored exclusively for farm women that has swept across the Midwest in three short years is being offered in Ohio for the first time this winter for individuals finding their place in a continually growing U.S. industry sector.
Annie's Project, launched in 2003 by University of Illinois Extension educator Ruth Hambleton, in honor of her mother, Annie's commitment to the family farm, is designed to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information and increasing communications skills.
The number of women who own farms, or are otherwise financially involved in a farm operation, has doubled since 1978, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the number continues to grow.
As a result of a North Central Risk Management Education Center Grant, Annie's Project will be offered in Bowling Green and Delaware, Ohio. The Bowling Green program will take place at the Ohio State University Extension Wood County office at 639 South Dunbridge Rd., beginning on Jan. 9 and running for six consecutive Tuesday evenings. The classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a light supper served at 5:45 p.m. Registration is $60 and includes all software, books and resource materials.
Topics of discussion include goal setting, financial risk management, legal risk management, marketing risk management, human resource risk management and production risk management.
The program, planned by OSU Extension specialists, and ag credit and ag business professionals, will combine lecture, discussion, individual assignments, small group work, computer work, and audio/visual support.
A similar program will be offered in Delaware beginning Feb. 1 and running for six consecutive Thursday nights. The classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is also $60 for this program. For more information on the program being offered in Delaware, contact Rob Leeds, OSU Extension educator, at (740) 833-2030 or leeds.2@osu.edu.
For more information on Annie's Project in Bowling Green, contact Doris Herringshaw at (419) 354-9050 or herringshaw.1@osu.edu, or log on to http://wood.osu.edu/fcs/fcs.htm, and click on "Special Events."
Since its launch Annie's Project has reached more than 2,000 farm women across the Midwest, from North Dakota to Pennsylvania. In addition to Ohio, Annie's Project will also be offered in Oklahoma in 2007.