Managing Farm Information Systems

Mission To empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.

Funding Women’s Challenge Grants University of Nebraska and the North Central Risk Management Center USDA/RMA Partnership for Socially Disadvantaged and Minority Audiences

History Annie’s Project began in February 2003 With a class of 10 women at Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL.

History Subject of what they were taught was based on the life experiences of a woman name Annette (Kohlhagen) Fleck ( ) Background: Small town girl who loved the farm. She wanted to marry a farmer...and she did. Annette (Annie to her friends) worked hard at learning how to be the best farm wife she knew how. Milked cows, drove tractor, kept records, raised chickens and turkeys sold eggs…

History Three generations under one roof Human relations Annie was BLUE Tough decisions made by Annie Send husband to work off-farm (1966) Exit the turkey and poultry business Sell dairy cows (1971)

Partners University of Illinois Extension Illinois Agri-Women Illinois Community Colleges USDA/RMA

Instructors

Program Foundation Farm women come from many different backgrounds—rural to city. Have various levels of business skills— managing money, computer skills, marketing skills, risk management skills, etc.

Program Foundation Women new to the business are often overwhelmed, lack confidence, and can’t (or won’t) ask questions. They need MENTORING!

Program Foundation Women old to the business understand agriculture but feel helpless with all the new technologies. They need MENTORING

Program Foundation Annie’s Project puts them in the same room! Over a period of six weeks, women learn from each other, share with each other and grow as a management team.

What They Learn 1.Computer skills --Spreadsheets --Databases 2.Internet skills --Searching for information resources 3. communications

What They Learn 4.Financial skills --Handling money --Financial tools Balance sheet Cash flow Income statement

What They Learn 5.Business organization --Lease agreements --Financial record keeping --Business Plan development --Developing a mission statement 6.Human relations

Where They Learn Program held at local community colleges. Great learning resources Most are familiar with facilities Academic environment Some offer college credit (usually 1 hr)

Learning Resources Financial Analysis Solutions Tools (F.A.S.T) Business Plan Farmdoc Grain Marketing Plan Colors

Evaluation & Impact