Workshop aims to empower women in agriculture
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News from Lake County MSU Extension
POLSON — Women in agriculture wear many different hats. Some run the business in its entirety. Some support their spouses and families by being there, running errands, keeping the family healthy and being emotionally supportive. Some may give their all to the farm or ranch and still make the time and energy to have a full or part-time job “in town” to provide insurance benefits for their family and to make ends meet. No matter how a woman is involved in a farm or ranch, she is part of a cultural tide in American agriculture that is moving management, assets and opportunities to a new wave of farmers across the country. Annie’s Project is an opportunity for each woman, no matter her role, to better identify her role and to become empowered to be better business partners or sole operators through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.
Annie’s Project is a sixweek discussion-based workshop that brings women together to share and learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. There’s plenty of time for questions, relaxing, learning, laughing, reacting and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. It’s a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn and grow while spending time with other women who may have some of the same problems.
“I took the class to gain a better understanding about agribusiness and how financial decisions impact our farm operation,” one Annie’s Project alumni said. “I have a better understanding of balance sheets and the futures market … This class has improved communication with my spouse on concerns he works with on a daily basis.” Annie’s Project courses have successfully reached more than 9,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states. The next one begins on April 12 in Polson. It will be held each week for six weeks on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn.
Annie’s Project local sponsors are MSU Extension, Mountain West Co-op, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Glacier Bank, Valley Bank of Hot Springs, Westland Seed, Farmers Union Insurance Luedtke Agency, Western Montana Stockman’s Association, McAlpin Ranch, Eagle Bank and Mountain West Farm Bureau.
The cost for the course is $50 per person, which includes lunch and support materials for all six sessions. Course size is limited, so please register soon.
For more information or to register for the program, contact the Lake County Extension Office at 406-676-4271. More information about Annie’s Project can be found at www.AnniesProject.org.
