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AdvertisementAnnie's Project welcomes farm and ranch womenKansas Every farm woman has a unique story. Few are able to use that story to benefit others. Farm, ranch and agribusiness women in southeast Kansas have the opportunity to learn together through Annie's Project what a farm woman named Annie had to learn on her own, beginning Sept. 26 at the Frontier Farm Credit office in Parsons. Annie's Project is based on the life a of farm woman in Illinois. Annie was a woman who grew up in a small town in northern Illinois. Her goal was to marry a farmer and she did. Annie spent her lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner with her farm husband. Annie's daughter, a university extension specialist, developed Annie's Project to take Annie's experience and share it with farm women to help them gain the understanding and knowledge necessary to be active and involved farm partners. So, when a few women involved in farming and ranching began talking about Annie's Project with colleagues within K-State Research and Extension and Frontier Farm Credit, momentum built. "I was interested in starting Annie's Project in southeast Kansas because the topics that were talked about were some things I knew nothing about, and I knew I needed to know more," said Anita Clubine, Sedan, who has spent her adult life involved in farming and ranching enterprises. "This program would help women learn where to go and get answers, and what questions to ask," Clubine added. "The side benefit of this project would be building a network--a group of friends--who are in the same field/pasture as I am and we don't get out of that field much to see what else and how to make our life easier and more manageable." Geographic isolation and differences in enterprises challenge farm and ranch women to find peer interactions and quality information. As agricultural practices change and women see their roles change, that peer group and sources for good information will become more valuable. "The sessions of Annie's Project are designed to provide research-based information to participants that can help them improve their operation and lives in many ways," said Scott Gordon, Agriculture Agent, K-State Research & Extension, Montgomery County. This is consistent with the mission of Extension, to be "dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families and youth through integrated research, analysis and education." In other words, "Knowledge for Life!" During his financial services career with Frontier Farm Credit, Eric Wiles has enjoyed working with a variety of farm families. First in a lending role, and now as a crop insurance specialist, Wiles jumped at the opportunity to present risk management training to women participating in Annie's Project. "Backgrounds, experiences, and the levels of involvement in the farm may differ," explained Wiles, "but the women involved in the farm families that I work with ask excellent questions and are always ready to grow their understanding of the farming operations. Annie's Project is a great way to support their growth." Rhonda Seibel, Customer Service Coordinator, Frontier Farm Credit, agreed. Seibel, is the local coordinator for Annie's Project, said the women signing up are enthused about making new friends and expanding their resource base. "No one has all answers, all the time," said Seibel. "Annie's Project will help expand the resource base for participants and give new tools for farm-level decisions. Sometimes, that may be as simple as knowing a farm woman in another part of the region to discuss an idea." Gordon's extension colleagues will be joined by industry experts from Frontier Farm Credit and others to teach six modules, one Saturday per month, from September 2009 to March 2010. Classes are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with lunch out. Registration is $95, payable to the Rural Activity Fund. Materials and refreshments will be provided. Sessions will be at Frontier Farm Credit, 2005 Harding, Parsons, Kan. For more information, contact K-State Research & Extension, Montgomery County at 620-331-2690, or Frontier Farm Credit, Parsons, at 800-741-2990. A brochure, with session topics is available at www.frontierfarmcredit.com. Advertisement
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