Agriculture Annie to begin
By Jenna Buehler Comet writer-intern

Marcellino

Annette "Annie" Frank was a small town teacher who married into farming life in northern Illinois. The inheritance of the farm was a struggle, as she became the record keeper, money manager, farm laborer, mother, wife and marketer of the farm.

Inspired by her mother, Annie's daughter, Ruth Hambleton, created a program for women who are in circumstances similar to her mother's. "The Annie Project" is now being offered by the Carroll County Extension Office.

Program organizers will provide to interested women who are in agriculture, who are generally under-served in the field, tools to specialize in agricultural business and human resource risk management.

Women in the U.S. have significant capital interest in land use, yet men tend to be dominant in the field, according to Paul Marcellino, Carroll County Extension Agent. He said women tend to be less formally trained in farm management.

"Project Annie" will empower women, especially those who inherit land or aren't from a rural area, as better business partners," Marcellino said. "They'll be provided with critical information in agricultural management and organization."

Critical program information focuses on production, marketing, financial, legal and human resource risk management topics.

"Project Annie" is designed to deliver technology training, enhance business skills, and develop an essential support network for continuing education. Women leave the program with increased knowledge in goal-setting, decision-making, relationships, organization, time management and cooperation techniques.

Vickie Ayres, a member of Women in Agriculture, is excited about Carroll County's initiation of the project.

"I hope the project will create a farm community of networking and support for farming women," Ayres said. "I've looked at the testimonials of other counties with the project and they've said it's wonderful."

The project has grown to help farm women across the midwest from Indiana to Oklahoma.

Classes are scheduled for Tuesdays, beginning April 17 and will be held in the 4-H Community Building at Flora. Additional materials are included with registration. For more information contact Marcellino at (765) 543-3169.