Annie's Project Mission

1. Annie's Project Mission To empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.

3. Situation Farm women want: • To understand farm business practices • To get more involved with farm business in meaningful ways, either filling the role of decision maker or supporting decision makers. • A continuous educational and social environment where they can share their experiences and learn from teams of professionals.

4. Our Mission To enable people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put knowledge to work. Our Values As Extension professionals, we are dedicated to the following organizational values — We believe in providing excellence in educational programming. We believe in providing accessible programs that help people solve problems. We believe in useful, practical programs. We believe in creating value for people. We believe in quick responses to customers’ concerns. We believe in providing unbiased information. We believe in establishing credibility with customers. Our Vision As Extension professionals, we — Focus on critical economic, environmental, leadership, youth, and family development issues. Engage people in lifelong learning. Address emerging needs by developing programs that anticipate social, economic, and policy changes. Apply valid, reliable research and information. Bring together and extend University of Illinois resources. Maximize resources by initiating and organizing community coalitions. Educate without discrimination and employ people representing the diversity in the state’s population. Recruit and develop volunteers to multiply Extension’s outreach. Teach with appropriate and effective educational techniques and methods. Value teamwork, recognizing and supporting the contributions of others. The mission of University of Missouri Extension is to: improve Missourians' lives by addressing their highest priorities through the application of research-based knowledge and resources. Priorities

5. Response • Ruth Hambleton at the University of Illinois developed a program called Annie’s Project, 2003 • Bob Wells tried Annie’s Project in Iowa, 2004 • Mary Sobba and Tim Eggers expanded Annie’s Project into other parts of Iowa and Missouri, 2005 • Annie’s Project grew to a program with over 900 participants, 2005/06

6. Priorities Farm Women Priorities: • Educational programs must fit into their work and family schedules • Programs must be relevant and hands-on whenever possible • Be able to share experiences with their peers and interact with professionals • Receive support following programs by developing mentoring and nurturing relationships

7. Inputs University Extension Staff • Farm Business Educators • Family & Youth Educators Partners • Agribusiness professionals • Community Colleges • Agribusiness suppliers • Lenders • Farm and Commodity Organizations

8. Inputs (cont.) Equipment & Technology • Computer labs or laptops with internet connectivity • Computer projector • Class rooms Materials • Notebooks • FAST CD • Business Plan Software • Pens and calculators • Pre and post survey instrument • Class syllabus • Course curriculum

9. Inputs (cont.) Time • Each Annie's Project is designed for 18 hours of class room instruction and socialization • Preparation time: 18 hours for each Annie’s Project Money • Grant supported • Sponsorships • University resources • In-Kind contributions

10. Outputs - Activities Seek partners and local sponsors for Annie’s Project Write grants Prepare curriculum Procure classroom supplies Identify and recruit instructors Train teams of qualified instructors in the use of the developed curriculum and philosophy of Annie’s Project Schedule meeting times, and locations and make arrangements with local hosting sites for meeting space and use of computer labs Develop uniform publicity and marketing plan through Extension and partners’ channels that will target farm women Handle registration, maintain data bases and spreadsheets Teach subject matter to farm women Develop and post information to Annie’s Project web page Edit and distribute Annie’s Project Newsletter

11. Outputs - Participation • Farm women from ages 19 to 84 from all backgrounds and years of experience. • Politicians • Risk Management Agency • Farm Service Agency • Soil & Water Conservation Districts • Lenders • Crop Insurance providers • Grain & livestock merchandisers

12. Short Term Outcome/Impacts • Farm women are aware of a program designed to fit their needs (800 farm women in 7 states) • Farm women who attend Annie’s Project grow in confidence, business skills, and community prestige • Farm women find answers, strength, and friendship • Farm women fill their desire to become a better person • Farm women understand common needs and conditions of the women in their groups • Annie’s Project provides a network of support • Annie’s Project legitimizes farm women's’ role in decision making

13. Medium Term Outcome/Impact Farm women take on active management roles that they previously felt unqualified to do. Farm women spread the word to other women they see who can be helped by Annie’s Project Farm women return for second and third level programming

14. Long Term Outcome/Impact Farm women develop a clear purpose of farm management tools and skills Increases satisfaction for living in rural societies

15. Evaluation & Reporting • Annie’s Project makes use of the following evaluation instruments: • Baseline Risk Management Survey • 49 questions in the five areas of risk, Production, Marketing, Financial, Legal and Human Resources • Satisfaction/reflection survey, open ended questions completed by participants. • Six month follow up on selected participants • Central data base • Annie’s Project Progress and Impact Reports are shared with partners, grant providers, and University Extension through media outlets, presentation and paper copy.