Annie’s Project is expanding in North Dakota for the fifth consecutive year.

The six-week program, which helps farm women become better business partners in their farm or ranch operation, will start the week of Jan. 19, 2010, at 12 locations across the state. These sites are: Killdeer, Grand Forks, Towner, Crosby, Kenmare, Lisbon, Bismarck, Mandan, Beach, Mott, McClusky and Valley City.

This North Dakota State University Extension Service program gives women the skills and confidence to become more actively involved in their business’s decision-making process.

The program received very high reviews from the 800 women who have participated in it during the past four years.

“The most frequent comment made by participants at the end of the project is, ‘I wish I would have taken this course years ago,’ ” says Willie Huot, Annie’s Project state coordinator.

The program will be delivered to all sites by a combination of interactive television and local presenters. The program provides comprehensive information on key farm management topics such as:

• 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 and why and how to develop them

More information about the North Dakota Annie’s Project, as well as registration details, are available online at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject; by contacting Huot at (701) 780-8229 or by e-mail at willie.huot@ndsu.edu; or by contacting any of the site facilitators listed on the Web site.

The cost is $100 per person for registrations received before Jan.6. A $35 late fee will be added after that date. Those interested in the program are urged to register early because seating is limited at all sites.

This program is made possible by several statewide sponsors, including the NDSU Extension Service, AgCountry Farm Credit Services (Fargo and 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, many local sponsors at each location help offset the program costs.

NDSU Agriculture Communication