Women's Farm Program Planned

“Annie’s Project”, a women managing farm information program, is planned this summer in Iowa Falls.   

Annie’s project is designed to empower farm women to manage information systems for critical decision making processes and build local networks.  The target audience is farm women with a passion for business and involvement. 

The series of six three-hour workshops will be held 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., on Thursday evenings from June 18 to July 30, in the computer lab in the Trade & Industry Building on the Ellsworth Community College campus in Iowa Falls.  Participants receive training for managing information in finances, production, marketing and risk management, regulations and documentation, human resources, and time management.

 The cost of the program is $50 per person due at the first session.  Registration is due June 12 and class size is limited.  To register or for more information, call the Hardin County Extension Office at 641-648-4850 or toll free 1-888-648-5005.  Annie’s project is sponsored by Iowa State University Extension, Hardin County Extension, Iowa Valley Community College District, USDA Risk Management Agency, and North Central Risk Management Education Center.

Annie's Project History

Annie's Project is based on the life of a farm woman in Illinois.  Annie grew up in a small town and had a goal to marry a farmer.  She spent a lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner.  She faced the challenges of three generations living under one roof, low profitability, changing farm enterprises, and raising a family.  Her daughter, Ruth Hambleton founded Annie's Project out of needs she observed in farm women she knew.

The first Annie's class included women whose farming experience ranged from thinking about marrying a farmer to many years as a business partner.  Each participant had valuable information and knowledge to share.  Annie's Project is now being offered in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma - and now Iowa. 

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880 Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-579-6227 Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811 Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234 Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378 Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114