"Annie's Project" - Local Course Helps Farm Women Manage for Today and Tomorrow

The “Managing for Today and Tomorrow,” program, a new Annie’s Project course, is being offered in Jefferson on Thursday evenings, February 21 to March 28 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Greene County Extension Meeting Room

Creating a transition plan to make sure a farm continues as a productive, agricultural business can be challenging. Farm women can learn how to plan a successful farm transition through a five-session course in Greene County offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.  The “Managing for Today and Tomorrow,” program, a new Annie’s Project course, is being offered in Jefferson on Thursday evenings, February 21 to March 28 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m..  

 Farm women will learn about business, estate, retirement and succession planning from ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and area professionals. Besides brief presentations, there will be discussions based on participant questions and follow-up activities for family members to complete at home.

 “We’re happy to be a partner in bringing such a valuable program to Greene County,” said Michael Cooley, county Extension coordinator for Greene County Extension. “This farm transition course is an opportunity for farm women to meet with others who share similar issues and concerns. A small class size will make it comfortable for everyone to speak up and get questions answered.”

 Annie’s Project, an agricultural risk management education program for women, has successfully reached more than 8,000 farmers and ranchers in 30 states. “This new program  emphasizes the role women play in helping transition farms from one generation to the next,” said Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Program specialist, and Annie’s Project National Co-Director.  “Managing for Today and Tomorrow will empower women to take ownership of the future of their farms,” said Shultz. 

 During five weekly, three-hour sessions, farm women will learn about succession, business, estate and retirement planning. "Understanding the concepts behind estate and succession planning is a critical first step in developing a plan to transition the family farm to the next generation,” said Erin Herbold-Swalwell, an attorney with Beving, Swanson, and Forrest, P.C., and one of the guest presenters for the upcoming course. Herbold will share how women can discuss these concepts with the entire family and begin the process of estate and succession planning.

 Angie Loew, Farm Credit Services of America financial officer in Carroll was a member of the curriculum development team and will be a guest presenter for the course. “Working with farm women for 25 years and being involved with Annie’s Project, I’ve seen the benefits of this curriculum first-hand,” said Loew. “Women want to strengthen their role in agriculture and learn the skills necessary for successful farm transitions.” Farm Credit Services of America is a statewide sponsor of Annie’s Project courses.

 Managing for Today and Tomorrow meets from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, February 21 and 28, and March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Greene County Extension office, 104 West Washington Street, Jefferson, Iowa, 50129.

 The cost is $75 per person, which includes a 300-page workbook with fact sheets, hands-on activities and presentations. Refreshments will be served prior to class start time. Course size is limited, and registration is due by February 18. 

For more information contact Madeline Schultz, on the Iowa State campus at 515-294-0588 or schultz@iastate.edu; or Michael Cooley, at the Greene County Extension office at 515-386-2138 or mcooley@iastate.edu. Farm women may also register online at https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/annie/quickregister.html.

 Managing for Today and Tomorrow is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2011-49400-30584. More information can be found on the Annie’s Project website at www.extension.iastate.edu/annie.