KENSINGTON, N.H. — UNH Cooperative Extension will host Annie’s Project, an agricultural business workshop for women, on April 20-22 at Alnoba in Kensington, New Hampshire.
Topics include:
- Making it work: Financial analysis of your farm business
- Benefits and challenges of working with a farm partner
- Unique marketing opportunities in your industry
- Health insurance and retirement for the full-time farmer
Registration is free for overnight participants, and the cost of overnight accommodations is $100 per person. All meals are included at no additional charge. The cost for participants who do not wish to stay overnight is $50 for meals only. This event will also feature a day of optional pre-conference farm tours, at a registration cost of $15 per person. Online registration is available at http://bit.ly/APAlnoba.
About Annie’s Project
Women have a significant role in agriculture, both nationally and right here in New England. According to the 2012 USDA National Agriculture Census, women are involved in 69% of farm operations in New Hampshire, either as a principal operator or partner. New Hampshire has seen a 12% increase in women operating the farm as a business. Studies from the Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network find women farmers in the Northeast are a key part of the local food movement. They are developing relationships within their community, growing food sustainably, and using innovative and collaborative means to make the farm profitable.
To support women in agriculture, Cooperative Extension offers Annie’s Project, a national program of informal agricultural business courses designed to bring women together to learn from farm management experts and each other. Workshops include time for questions, sharing, reacting and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. The atmosphere fosters a relaxed, fun and dynamic way to learn, grow and network with other farm women.
“[Annie’s Project] equipped me with new skills, reinforced skills, answers, new resources, and friendships,” said Tina Sawtelle, co-owner of Pinewoods Yankee Farm in Lee and Annie’s Project participant in 2014. “Watching my classmates gain confidence, strength, and support made me feel connected to a larger network that I continue to tap…our small group setting was instrumental for sharing, communication, learning and support…our group of women participants were diverse in background, type of farming they did, and the level of their experience.”
More information can be found at https://extension.unh.edu/Workshops-Events/Annies-Project or contact program facilitator Elaina Enzien at elaina.enzien@unh.edu or (603) 679-5616.
–UNH Cooperative Extension
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