Annie's Project
Our Purpose
Annie’s Project is a program for farm women with a passion for business and involvement.
Participants say that they find answers, strength, and friendship. They also grow
in confidence, business skills, and community prestige. Networking and interactive
learning provide the foundation.
Our mission is to empower farm women to be better business partners.
History of Annie's Project
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 many states.
Impacts from Annie's Project
- Increasing use of production records
- Creating and using marketing plans
- Calculating breakeven prices for crops and livestock
- Preparing financial statements regularly
- Reviewing farm insurance policies
- Writing and reviewing farm business goals
- Adopting and using new farm record software
- Estimating and reviewing retirement costs and needs
Testimonials
- "I'm more confident in my farm management decisions."
- "I now understand how many factors must be considered when making financial management decisions."
WorkshopsIf you are interested in an Annie's Project workshop series, please contact your local Extension Agent. The course is offered in six, 3-hour sessions with participation limited to 10-25 people. A sample program itinerary shows the topics covered.
Session One:
- Welcome and Intro to Annie's
- Women and Money: Family Financial Management
- Goal Setting
- Family and Business Communication
Session Two:
- Developing a business plan and goal setting
- Legal Issues
- Insurance Basics: Property, Life, Health
Session Four:
- Crop or Livestock Marketing
- Crop and Livestock Insurance
- Helpful Agencies & Organizations: FSA, NRCS, RCD, producer groups, etc.
Session Materials
- Family and Business Management, Communications
- Farm Business Planning and Management, Legal Issues
- Budgets, Financial Statements
- Budgets, AGEC-139
- Cash Flow, AGEC-751
- Balance Sheet, AGEC-752
- Evaluating Financial Performance and Position, AGEC-790
- Farm and Ranch Stress Test, AGEC-237
- Schedule of Assets, AGEC-791
- Liabilities Schedule, AGEC-792
- Owner Equity Section, AGEC-938
- Custom Rates, CR-205
- Pasture Rental Rates, CR-216
- Cropland Rental Rates, CR-230
- Marketing
- Software Tools
- Websites with Software