by: Gigi Neal, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources- Clermont County
Do you have a calendar that is color-coded because of all the functions that happen within your family? Then do you look at it and wonder, “How in the world am I going to manage all these items plus manage a farm?” Juggling work and home seems to be a natural state for many women, but when you add working or managing the family farm – whew! How do you make all the decisions for production, stewardship and family?
Just imagine if you had the tools to assist you and your partner in making farming decisions to help build a more successful enterprise, while balancing your life. Annie’s Project is the answer for all women wanting to strengthen their role in the agricultural business. Annie’s Project emphasizes empowering farm women to become better stewards of the land and business partners in the agricultural world through decision making and building networks.
Annie’s National Network Initiative for Educational Success (Annie’s) is a six week course founded on Risk Management Education for Farm and Ranch Women through production, financial, market, human resources and legal risks. These sessions foster problem solving, record keeping and decision-making skills in farm women. Many of the women develop a lasting camaraderie with the other class participants through conversation and discussion, which further enhances learning.
OSU Extension will offer the original Annie’s Project program, which focuses on five areas of risk facing today’s farm businesses. These program series are scheduled across Ohio:
- Lucas and Henry County area at The Anderson’s Activity Building in Maumee on Monday evenings from Feb. 9 to March 16, 2015. Contact Beth Scheckelhoff at 419-592-0806 or Scheckelhoff.11@osu.edu or Amy Stone at 419-213-4254 or stone.91@osu.edu.
- Paulding County area at the Youth Leadership Center in Paulding on Monday evenings from March 16 to April 20, 2015. Contact Sarah Noggle at 419-399-8225 or noggle.17@osu.edu.
- Washington County currently has a program in progress and is having a very successful event that concludes Feb. 9.
Future program series are being planned and additional information may be found at clermont.osu.edu under Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network programs and events. For more information regarding Annie’s Project, contact Gigi Neal at 513-732-7070 or neal.331@osu.edu or Christine Kendle at 330-339-2337 or kendle.4@osu.edu. Visit Annie’s Project National Website at extension.iastate.edu/annie/.
To join the Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network, contact Gigi Neal at 513-732-7070 or neal.331@osu.edu or Heather Neikirk at 330-830-7700 or Neikirk.2@osu.edu. Visit our website at clermont.osu.edu or like Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network on Facebook.