University of Missouri Extension will soon begin a new session of Annie’s Project, a farm management class for women.

Farm women and women landowners learn new skills in the six-session evening class, said Mary Sobba, MU Extension agricultural business specialist. Classes in Kirksville, Mexico and Monticello begin March 2. Another class starts in Potosi on March 21.

Topics include communication, understanding different personality types, women and money, business plans, how property is titled, leases and legal issues, financial statements, retirement and estate planning, using spreadsheets, risk management, life insurance, health insurance, computer software tools, online tools and much more, Sobba said. MU Extension specialists and local guest speakers teach the class.

Annie’s Project began in Illinois. Annie Kohlhagen Fleck was a farm wife who spent her life learning how to be an involved business partner with her husband. “Together they did great things, but it was not easy,” Sobba said. “This course—Annie’s Project—takes her experiences and shares it with farm women living and working in a complex business.”

Sobba said the goal is to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information. “The course provides mentoring for farm women with varying levels of business skills,” she said. “Farm women come from many different backgrounds, from rural to city life. Women who are new to the farm business may be overwhelmed and afraid to ask questions. Women who are accustomed to the farm business may understand agriculture but feel helpless with new technologies like computers.”

Women landowners, women who work full time on the farm, those who work off-farm and those considering farming benefit from this program, Sobba said.

All participants receive resources and materials. Preregistration is required a week before classes begin. Register at extension.missouri.edu/annie. For questions, call Mary Sobba at 573-581-3231 or Karisha Devlin at 660-397-2179.

MU Extension programs are open to all persons.

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