A six-week program called Annie’s Project will get under way the week of Jan. 19 at 18 North Dakota locations.

“The objective of Annie’s Project is to empower farm women to be better business partners in their farm or ranch operations,” says Willie Huot, Annie’s Project coordinator and North Dakota State University Extension Service agent. “This project gives them the skills and confidence to become more actively involved in the decision-making process of their businesses.”

The six-session program provides farmwomen with comprehensive information on key farm management topics:

• How bankers make loan decisions
• Tracking expenses and income for businesses and families
• Mastering spreadsheets
• Land rental agreements
• Retirement, farm transfer and estate planning
• Grain and livestock marketing
• Insurance needs, including crop insurance
• Personnel management
• Business plans - why and how to develop them

Introduced into North Dakota three years ago, this program received very high reviews from the 650 women who have participated in the program. Because of this success, the program is expanding again for the coming year.

“'I wish I would have taken this course years ago’ is the most frequent comment made by participants at the end of the project,” Huot says.

The program will be delivered to all sites through a combination of interactive television and local presenters.

More information about the Annie’s Project, as well as registration details, can be found at www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject or by contacting Huot at (701) 780-8229 or e-mail at willie.huot@ndsu.edu. Site facilitators listed on the Web site also can be contacted.

The cost is $100 per person for registrations received before Jan. 7. A $35 late fee will be added after that date. Seating is limited at all sites. Those interested in the program are urged to register early.

Annie’s Project is made possible by several sponsors, including the NDSU Extension Service, AgCountry Farm Credit Services (Fargo/Grand Forks), Farm Credit Services of Mandan, Farm Credit Services of North Dakota (Minot), North Dakota Grain Growers and North Dakota Farm Service Agency. In addition, there are many local sponsors at each location to help offset program costs.

NDSU Agriculture Communication