Risk Management Education Reaching Farm Women Audiences Bob Wells Tim Eggers Kelvin Leibold Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Ruth Hambleton Mary Sobba Karisha Devlin Iowa State University, University of Illinois and University of Missouri - Cooperating National Extension Risk Management Education Conference April 16-17, 2007

Risk Management Education for Women Women are a Significant and Growing Part of U.S. Agriculture!

1997 Census to 2002 Census  Farms with female principal operators grew 13.4 percent to 237,819.  The land operated by female principal operators grew 16.5 percent to nearly 60 million acres.

Women as Primary Farm Operators 2007* Estimated Source: USDA Census of Agriculture

Women In Agriculture Education WHY?  Underserved Audience  Unique Learning Needs  Safe Learning Environment  Mentoring, Nurturing

Criteria for a successful women’s program  Fills a deep-seated desire to become a better person.  Understands common needs and conditions.  Logically simplistic  Provides a network  Fills a desire for learning

Criteria for a successful women’s program (con’t)  Legitimizes the role of farm women.  Builds skills.  Interesting and rewarding.  Articulates a clear purpose and understanding.

Annie’s Project  Annie’s Project coordinates educational processes encompassing a practical, broad vision of farm business management; targets relevant subjects, promotes group dynamics by developing support networks and interpersonal skills, and using the best available technologies.  Annie’s Project provides farm management education in five risk management areas: production, marketing, financial, legal and human resources. Mission Statement: To empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information Goals:

Iowa Women in Agriculture Mission Statement: To provide in-depth training to selected agricultural business women in order to increase their knowledge and skills in analyzing and making business and financial decisions regarding agricultural enterprises. To develop a network of knowledgeable agricultural business women managers who are capable of mentoring other women in their communities, who are involved in agriculture and who can assist in conducting educational programs and activities. To increase the quantity, competitiveness and economic potential of women involved in agricultural businesses. To develop a volunteer network for Youth and 4-H/FFA women who are interested in pursuing careers in agricultural businesses. To provide assistance and a mentor network for women landowners who have been endowed with land or other aspects of an agricultural business.

Overall Conference for Today’s Women Overall Women Mission Statement: Overall Women is for women involved in or affected by agriculture, whether it is managing your own farm operation, as a business partner, impacted by the farm economy, or just wanting to learn more about today's agriculture. Gather with other rural women to network and learn

Women, Land and Legacy Mission Statement: Through small group dialogue and focused conversation processes used by Women, Land and Legacy, Iowa agricultural women are given the opportunity to come together to converse, listen, and become empowered to act on their landscape and in their community.  For women to inform agencies and organizations of their needs and what the agencies and organizations can do to help meet those needs.  To develop a local network of agricultural women who will decide what programs, projects, and information they need to assist them in their farming and conservation decision making. Goals:

Program Delivery  Educators and professionals  Skill sets  Common cause  Communication  Goals and outcomes  Group dynamics  Preparation

Program Impacts  More confidence in decision making.  More involved in business and community.  Better understanding of farm business.  Better able to handle diverse personalities in farming.

Take Home Message  Women respond to targeted programs.  Provide a safe, nurturing environment.  Be serious about finding partners, collaborators, and practitioners.  It is the most rewarding, fun, energizing programming you will ever do!!!!

THANK YOU Bob Tim Kelvin Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Ruth Mary Karisha Iowa State University, University of Illinois and University of Missouri - Cooperating