Risk Management Education
Reaching Farm Women Audiences
National Extension
Risk Management Education Conference
April 16-17, 2007
Bob Wells
Tim Eggers
Kelvin Leibold
Ruth Hambleton
Mary Sobba
Karisha Devlin
Iowa State University, University of Illinois and University of Missouri - Cooperating
Extension programs are available to all
without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, or disability.
Risk Management Education for
Women
Women
are a Significant
and Growing Part of
U.S. Agriculture!
1997 Census to 2002 Census
 Farms with female principal operators
grew 13.4 percent to 237,819.
 The land operated by female principal
operators grew 16.5 percent to nearly
60 million acres.
Women as Primary Farm Operators
350000
289188
300000
237819
250000
200000
209784
172163
150000
100000
50000
1992
1997
2002
Women Farm Operators
Source: USDA Census of Agriculture
2007*
2007* Estimated
Women In Agriculture
Education
WHY?




Underserved Audience
Unique Learning Needs
Safe Learning Environment
Mentoring, Nurturing
Criteria for a successful women’s
program
 Fills a deep-seated desire to become
a better person.
 Understands common needs and
conditions.
 Logically simplistic
 Provides a network
 Fills a desire for learning
Criteria for a successful women’s
program (con’t)




Legitimizes the role of farm women.
Builds skills.
Interesting and rewarding.
Articulates a clear purpose and
understanding.
Annie’s Project
Mission Statement: To empower farm women to be better business
partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical
information
Goals:
 Annie’s Project coordinates educational processes encompassing a
practical, broad vision of farm business management; targets relevant
subjects, promotes group dynamics by developing support networks
and interpersonal skills, and using the best available technologies.
 Annie’s Project provides farm management education in five risk
management areas: production, marketing, financial, legal and human
resources.
Iowa Women in
Agriculture
Mission Statement: To provide in-depth training to selected agricultural
business women in order to increase their knowledge and skills in analyzing and making
business and financial decisions regarding agricultural enterprises.
To develop a network of knowledgeable agricultural business women managers who are
capable of mentoring other women in their communities, who are involved in
agriculture and who can assist in conducting educational programs and activities.
To increase the quantity, competitiveness and economic potential of women involved in
agricultural businesses.
To develop a volunteer network for Youth and 4-H/FFA women who are interested in
pursuing careers in agricultural businesses.
To provide assistance and a mentor network for women landowners who have been
endowed with land or other aspects of an agricultural business.
Overall Conference
for Today’s Women
Mission Statement: Overall Women is for women involved in or
affected by agriculture, whether it is managing your own farm operation, as
a business partner, impacted by the farm economy, or just wanting to learn
more about today's agriculture. Gather with other rural women to network
and learn
Women, Land and
Legacy
Mission Statement: Through small group dialogue and focused
conversation processes used by Women, Land and Legacy, Iowa
agricultural women are given the opportunity to come together to
converse, listen, and become empowered to act on their landscape and
in their community.
Goals:
 For women to inform agencies and organizations of their needs and
what the agencies and organizations can do to help meet those
needs.
 To develop a local network of agricultural women who will decide
what programs, projects, and information they need to assist them
in their farming and conservation decision making.
Program Delivery







Educators and professionals
Skill sets
Common cause
Communication
Goals and outcomes
Group dynamics
Preparation
Program Impacts
 More confidence in decision making.
 More involved in business and
community.
 Better understanding of farm
business.
 Better able to handle diverse
personalities in farming.
Take Home Message
 Women respond to targeted
programs.
 Provide a safe, nurturing
environment.
 Be serious about finding partners,
collaborators, and practitioners.
 It is the most rewarding, fun,
energizing programming you will ever
do!!!!
THANK YOU
Bob Wells
Tim Eggers
Kelvin Leibold
Ruth Hambleton
Mary Sobba
Karisha Devlin
641-673-5841
712-542-5171
641-648-4862
618-242-9310
573-581-3231
573-633-2640
wellsjb@iastate.edu
teggers@iastate.edu
kleibold@iastate.edu
rhamblet@uiuc.edu
sobba@missouri.edu
devlink@missouri.edu
Iowa State University, University of Illinois and University of Missouri - Cooperating
Extension programs are available to all
without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, or disability.