Annie’s Course 1
A program for women in Agriculture known as Annie’s Project is underway in Weld County. The course is specifically designed to strengthen women's roles on the farm and the ranch.
Stacey Swanson is one of the class facilitators specializing in insurance for ag families..
“Whether they are married to a farmer, own their own property, dairy, ranch, land that they lease or are ranchers or dairy people, It’s an all women course that helps them understand the five areas of financial risk in ag which are determined by the USDA.”
The five areas of risk are production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and legal. The Course is 18 hours of instruction.
One seminar is specifically about women and money. Another is about enterprise analysis which looks at the crops or livestock being raised while asking how they can be profitable and whether there are other options available. Insurance for families, farm leasing, how to best use the Farm Service and Natural Resource Conservation Agencies.
She says women and men who have had experience in one of the areas of risk will speak about the challenges and how to overcome them.
Swanson says she grew up on a farm in Severance where her family had a sheep feedlot as well as corn, beets and alfalfa. Her family lost the farm when she was in highschool. That experience drives her desire to help other families plan ahead and make good decisions for the long term.
Annie’s Project has been around since 2003. It was started by an extension educator at the University of Illinois and named for her mother. This marks the first course in Weld County.
The Annie’s project course is being held at at Island Grove Park, Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9:00 pm, starting February 13 through March 19th
The course is closed but another one is being planned for later in the year.
