Delivering Annie’s Project in ND Electronically By: Willie Huot State Project Coordinator

1. Delivering Annie’s Project in ND Electronically By: Willie Huot State Project Coordinator

2. Empowering women to become better business partners

3. 2006 Program in ND • Partnered with Minnesota • Funded largely by a RMA grant • Delivered to 5 sites • Fargo, Grand Forks, Grafton, Minot, Jamestown • 95 participants In ND • Registration fees: $50.00

4. 2006 Sites • Two sites with all local presenters • Three sites with presentations done via IVN

5. What we learned about electronic delivery • Can be used as an effective delivery tool • Greatly reduces costs • Can be challenging if used exclusively for the delivery method • Requires scheduling many months in advance • Requires special skills for presenters

6. 2007 Program in ND • No grant funds • Partnered with private businesses • Delivered to sixteen sites in ND • Enrollment of 300 participants • Registration fees of $100.00

7. State Wide Sponsors 2007

8. State Wide Sponsorships (Minimum: $1,000) • Help pay the overall costs of project • Software • Portfolios • Marketing & Promotion • Speaker fees/honorariums • Site expenses (except for food/meals)

9. Local Sponsorships • Help offset local meal costs for participants • Provide for some scholarships • No minimum $ amount or deadline

10. State wide Recognition on all promotional pieces relating to project. Local Sponsorships Recognized locally. Sponsor recognition

11. Program Delivery • Part of each program delivered over the Interactive Video Network • Part of each program delivered at each location by local professionals • Each session approximately 3 hours long • Each session begins with light meal to foster networking and sharing within group

12. Local experts

13. Program content • Human resources, personality profiles • Women & finances • Farm & ranch financial records • Using spreadsheet & other software • Crop & livestock marketing • Business Plans- Bringing it all together

14. ND Sites for Annie’s Project in 2007

15. Minot Class 2007

16. 2008 Project • Planned for approximately 300 participants • 23 locations • Most new sites were in the Western part of the state • Registration fee remained @ $100.00 • No major change in delivery methods • Began 3rd week in January

17. Edited by facilitators Detailed descriptions Used in 2008 Valuable resource Reduced “anxiety” Developed Facilitator’s Manual

19. Program Promotions • Web site: www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject • Program brochures • Ads (AGWEEK and FARM & RANCH) Newsletters & feature stories • Radio advertising • Word of mouth

20. 2008 State Wide Sponsors

21. Registration Process for 2008 • Registrations began in Oct 2007 • On line: www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject • MSWord or PDF • List updated daily • Cost: $100.00 per person (Must accompany registration application) • January 9, 2008 registration deadline • $35.00 late fee after this date • Classes began week of January 21, 2008

22. What past participants have said • “Farming is a partnership between husband and wife, not just the husband’s career” • “I changed my mind about letting my husband make all the marketing decisions. I fee the best decisions will now be made jointly” • “Every women in farming should take this course. The knowledge, sharing and empowerment are priceless!! • I wish I would have known all this years ago!!

23. Financial Overview • No Extension staff receive additional $$ for being involved in the project • Non Extension presenters receive honorariums • $100.00 registration fees pay for about 75% of participant’s cost (No complaints about registration fee)

24. Financial Overview (Continued) • Statewide sponsorships generates $7500 - $10,000 per year (Farm Credit Services & North Dakota Grain Growers) • Local sponsors @ each site pay for all meals • All revenues from registrations & state sponsors sent to central location. • Counties receive reimbursement for: • Room/lab rent, copying costs, misc. expenses

25. Keys for Successful Program Delivery • Very committed staff • In-Service training (two per year) • State-wide plan for promotion, administration & coordination • Partnering with the private sector • Statewide & Local sponsors • Website www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject • Work closely with Annie’s Project founders!!

26. Questions???