LSBDC to hold course for farm and ranch women
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Creating a transition plan to make sure a farm or ranch continues as a productive agricultural business and understanding and managing farm finances for a secure future are just some of the challenges faced by farm and ranch women today.
Annie's Project, a course for farm and ranch women in southeast Louisiana, has been scheduled for July and August and is sponsored by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana University.
"The goal of Annie's Project is to empower women to take active leadership roles in their farming operations," said Deborah Cross, Louisiana Annie's Project state coordinator. "All agricultural endeavors require careful planning and the use of the proper tools and strategies to help manage risk and to help ensure business success."
Classes will be held on Thursday evenings, July 17, 21 to August 21, meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Southeast Louisiana Business Center on Martens Drive in Hammond. The cost is $75 per person, which includes a 300-page workbook with fact sheets, hands-on activities and presentations. Refreshments will be served prior to class start time. Course size is limited, and registration is due by July 12.
Annie's Project introduces women to all five areas of agricultural risk: financial, human resources, legal, production and marketing, Cross added. Farm and ranch women can learn how personality types influence family and employee communication. They can also learn basic marketing techniques to improve grain and livestock profitability, how the right insurance can protect the family and the farm or ranch, how to access USDA resources, estate planning and more. The course is taught over six weekly three-hour sessions.
Annie's Project, an agricultural risk management education program for women, has successfully reached more than 8,000 farmers and ranchers in 30 states. For more information on Annie's Project or to register, contact Cross at 225-281-9470 or DCross@agcenter.lsu.edu.
