Omaha, Nebraska – (December February 16, 2012) – Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica), a financial cooperative with more than $16 billion in assets, in connection with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is offering a four-session course, designed to give women the opportunity to learn how to plan a successful farm transition. “Managing for Today and Tomorrow,” is a new Annie’s Project course being piloted in Ames and Shenandoah. Both courses begin on Monday, February 27th and continue through March 19th.
Angie Loew, FCSAmerica financial officer in Carroll, Iowa, is a member of the curriculum development team. “I’ve worked with farmers for 24 years, know their questions and have seen the need for transitioning information,” Loew said. “Offering a curriculum that involves local professional educators in the program delivery will better position families as they begin transitioning their operations.”
In the course, farm women will learn about business, estate, retirement, and succession planning from ISU Extension specialists and area professionals. Besides brief presentations, there will be discussions based on participant questions and follow-up activities for family members to complete at home.
Tim Eggers, ISU Extension Field Agricultural Economist, said, “I know how hard it can be to talk about passing on the farm. Managing for Today and Tomorrow will teach farm women the terminology and tools to start that conversation or be active participants in it.”
Annie’s Project, an agricultural risk management education program for women, has successfully reached more than 7,000 farmers and ranchers in 26 states. “This new curricula emphasizes the role women play in helping transition farms from one generation to the next,” said Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Program Coordinator.
During four weekly, three-hour sessions, farm women will learn about succession, business, estate and retirement planning. “Managing for Today and Tomorrow will empower women to take ownership of the future of their farms and ranches, particularly as it deals with the human resource and legal aspects of transitioning,” said Madeline Shultz.
Managing for Today and Tomorrow meets from 6 to 9 p.m. on February 27, March 5, March 12, and March 19. The two locations are 1) Iowa Western Community College Page/Fremont Center, 1001 W. Sheridan Ave, Shenandoah, IA and 2) Iowa State University Campus, Ensminger Room, Kildee Hall, Ames, IA.
The cost is $50 per person, which includes a 260-page workbook filled with fact sheets, exercises, and presentations. A light dinner will be served prior to class start time. Course size is limited, and pre-registration is due by February 23.
For more information and to register, call Lani McKinney at the Value Added Agriculture Program on the ISU campus at 515-294-2136 or email her at lanim@iastate.edu. Or call the Page County Extension at 712-542-5171 or toll free at 877-596-7243 or e-mail Heidi Carter at heidic@iastate.edu. The course is limited to 20 women per site and cost $50. Farm women may also register online at https://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/annie/quickregister.html Managing for Today and Tomorrow is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2011-49400-30584. More information can be found on the ANNIES website at www.extension.iastate.edu/annie.
About Farm Credit Services of America
Farm Credit Services of America is proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With more than $16 billion in assets, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.
