Building the Capacity of Educators to Help Women Farmers and Ranchers in Southern States Improve Agricultural Sustainability Using ANNIES Methodologies

Project Overview

ES12-113
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2012: $79,100.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2014
Region: Southern
State: Mississippi
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Bobbie Shaffett
Mississippi State University

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, networking, workshop
  • Production Systems: holistic management

    Proposal abstract:

    Mississippi State University will partner with Annie’s National Network Initiative for Educational Success (ANNIES), Alcorn State University, USDA, agricultural service providers, and women seeking improved agricultural sustainability. The goal of the project is to build the capacity of educators, including Agriculture, Family, and other county or community Extension educators to help women farmers and ranchers in the Southern Region improve agricultural sustainability. Two regional professional development meetings will serve 60 educators throughout the Southern Region during the two-year project, one session in north Mississippi to serve the Mid-South, and one on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Extension educators in Southern states will be invited to select a session and apply for a travel scholarship will be provided with grant funds to encourage participation in these days of lean travel budgets. ANNIES national leaders will train educators in best practices and facilitate the development of a strong network of local educators in the Southern Region. The goal of this project is to expand the very successful ANNIES program to new Southern states and to support the existing network of ANNIES educators. This program is designed to increase educator motivation and skills in delivering Annie’s Project risk management programs to help women farmers improve the financial, social and environmental sustainability of their farm and ranch businesses. After practicing planning and implementing in professional development sessions, we expect an increase in the number and quality of ANNIES sessions offered in participating states.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    1. Extension Educators from Southern states attending professional development workshops will:
    a. Demonstrate knowledge of how to plan and teach Annie's Project Programs for women farmers and ranchers by completing worksheets and program evaluation/assessments.
    b. Participate in national ANNIES network calls and meetings for state coordinators.
    c. Provide Annie's Project programs for women farmers and ranchers in their local areas.

    2. Women farmers and ranchers served by Extension educators providing Annie's Project Programs will:
    a. Gain knowledge about risk management and how it applies to them.
    b. Participate in local networks of women farmers.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.