Annie Would Have Been Pleased

“Annie’s Project” attracts 138 farm women in ND and MN (with a waiting list nearly that long) to learn about becoming more active, involved partners in the farm operation

Annie would likely have been pleased with the series of meetings held in North Dakota and Minnesota this past winter in her name – “Annie’s Project” – aimed at educating farm women about key farm management topics from tracking farm income and expenses to grain marketing.

The educational program is named for Annette Kohlhagen Fleck, who became a successful farmer and farm business manager in Illinois from the late 1940s into the 1990s, despite an industry and an era where it was men making most farm business decisions.

One of Annie’s daughters, Ruth Fleck Hambleton, became a Farm Business Management and Marketing educator for the University of Illinois Extension Service. Hambleton wanted to create a program that would take the skills instilled in her by her mother, and mentor and educate farm women. That’s how Annie’s Project got started, which is now grown to become a program held in other parts of the U.S. 

The winter, 2006 Annie’s Project in North Dakota and Minnesota was coordinated and sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, N.D. Grain Growers Association, and the Extension Service and Farm Business Management Programs in both states.  It was funded in part through a grant by the USDA Risk Management Agency. The program consisted of six three-hour sessions at Thief River Falls, Grand Forks, Fergus Falls, and Fargo, with video conferences at Jamestown, Minot, and Grafton.

MAWG program director Tara Gillespie, who led efforts to organize Annie’s Project in North Dakota and Minnesota, was pleased with how the program turned out.  “I am amazed at how the participants stuck with it, because it was a definite commitment.” 

There were 138 women who participated in seven locations, with a waiting list nearly that long. “I wish everyone who wanted to participate could have,” Gillespie says. However, Annie’s Project is tailored to smaller groups of 15 to 25, to encourage interaction.  It’s that interaction amongst the women who attend, and the sharing of experiences and knowledge at each of the locations, which make the program unique.” Gillespie hopes the program will be held again in 2007 for those unable to attend this year.

Bill Craig, U of M regional ag business management extension educator, facilitated the Annie’s Project sessions in Thief River Falls, MN. “Annie’s Project was one of the most enjoyable teaching and learning experiences that I have been involved with in my career,” he says.  “One of my work related goals is to provide farm management programming for an underserved audience.  Farm women fall into that group because traditionally we don’t see many at our farm management and marketing workshops and meetings.”

Craig says the Annie’s Project group at Thief River Falls was comprised of farm women from a geographical area from Roseau to Mahnomen and west to the Red River. 

“One characteristic that stood out for me with our group was the sincere desire to learn. Those farm women were on a mission to learn all they could and to take what they learned home to use in their farm businesses,” Craig says.  “They asked great questions and shared personal experiences with each other.  There were some new friendships formed during our sessions.”

In the session on commodity marketing, Craig notes that participants asked several questions regarding pre-harvest marketing and ways to manage the risk if production is cut or if prices move against them.  He adds that they appreciated a better understanding of how crop insurance works when used in conjunction with a pre-harvest marketing plan.

“During the session on farm transfer and estate planning, we discovered that over half of our participants did not have an up-to-date will,” says Craig.  “Many of them have young children, so the discussion on what could happen to their children if they were to die unexpectedly without a will was of great importance and concern to them.”

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Cindi Kilen’s ‘Diary’ of Annie’s Project

Cindi Kilen, who farms with husband Doug near Thief River Falls, summarized her experiences in participating in four of the six Annie’s Project sessions (the last two sessions hadn’t been completed by press-time).

Annie’s Project Session #1, Jan. 23, 2006 -- Twenty four women gathered at Northland Community and Technical College this evening for the first of a six session program entitled  “Annie’s Project,” the first such event ever held in the Thief River Falls area.  These women came from various surrounding areas, with as many different backgrounds, but with one common denominator; we are all involved in the farming industry.

Tonight’s session began with a welcome from Bill Craig, Regional Extension Educator in Agricultural Business Management from Crookston.

Cindy Bigger presented a “Color Matrix” program, giving us the chance to evaluate our own personalities and how each of us fit into a “color.”  This activity gave us an opportunity to break into small groups, converse and enjoy a little laughter at ourselves based on our own idiosyncrasies.

The first session concluded on a more serious topic; credit, debt and identity theft presented by Glenice Johnson, also a Regional Extension Educator at Crookston, Minnesota.  The information was useful and the resource material appreciated.

Annie’s Project Session #2, Jan. 30, 2006 -- Time always seems to be an issue in our busy lives and tonight’s class was proof that we don’t seem to have enough time in a day. We were welcomed with a delicious supper before class began, provided by one of the project’s local sponsors.   Farm transition and estate planning was presented by Bill Craig before moving on to the insurance portion of the class. Elizabeth Rise and Emily Holte, insurance specialists from the Burd & Rise Insurance Agency, Halstad, presented a terrific overview of farm, health, life and crop insurance.  It was a lot of information in too short of a time period.  I think a lot of the women would have appreciated more time devoted to these complex issues.  It seems “Annie’s Project” has so much relevant curriculum; I’m hoping to be able to absorb as much as possible.

Annie’s Project Session #3, Feb 06, 2006 -- Following another great supper, Greg Dvergsten, farm management instructor at the NCTC opened this evening’s session discussing the Finpack Business Plan and the importance of having a farm business plan. By a show of hands, it was obvious this practice is something uncommon to the class participants. As one of the 25 participants in this class, I can only assume it is very difficult for the directors and instructors to present a curriculum to this group at a level needed by each participant. 

Greg Kalinoski, also from the Farm Business Management program, followed the lesson, presenting more in-depth information on balance sheets, cash flow statements and income statements necessary for any farm operation. We also received computer software for the Finpack Business Plan and will get a chance to work hands-on in the computer lab during a later session. I look forward to that. 

The balance of the class was spent with Sue Westrum of the West Polk Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.  For many of us, farm men and women alike, I think there is a lot of apprehension regarding the FSA office, probably based on the concept of lack of knowledge and the fear of paperwork! Sue was able to give us a terrific overview of the Farm Service Agency in a short period of time.  There, again, is that four letter word “time.” I think knowledge and understanding will enable farm women to not be hesitant, but become more involved in their farm operation, including the paperwork!

Annie’s Project Session #4, Feb 20, 2006 -- Week #4: grain contracting.  Sounds heavy, but turned out to be a lot of fun. Betsy Jenson from NCTC presented along with Brent Oelke, extension educator.  The classroom has always had a relaxed atmosphere and tonight was no exception.  Brent led us in a hands-on grain marketing game where each of us was given the exact same information pertaining to “our farm.” We were asked to sell our crop over a nine week period with each week presenting a different scenario. 

Although many of us in the class have not dealt with grain marketing prior to this, I think we got a good feel for it, although I know I’m not ready to go out and make “real” decisions just yet.  The only thing missing from this class for me, personally, was information on livestock marketing, as that would have pertained to my personal situation.