A harvest of farm business management courses are available for women in Iowa.
Through women in agriculture programs, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm management team strives to improve the quality of life for Iowans. The courses provide research-based education, networks, and resources to help women expand agricultural businesses, improve natural resource management and support each other as a community of women in agriculture.
There are many women in ag courses available, but below are a few courses being hosted in parts of Iowa this fall. A full list of women in ag programs is available from https://www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag/.
All courses are taught in the tradition of Annie’s Project, which incorporates a comfortable and supportive learning environment.
Each of these three different courses takes a unique approach to managing agricultural risks.
Annie’s Project: Farm Business Management is a six-session (18-hour) course developed to help women gain farm management and decision-making skills. The course gives participants a whole farm view as they learn about key decisions. Women participants better understand how to manage agricultural risks in the five key areas of financial, human resources, legal, marketing and production.
Women Managing Crops is a four-session (12-hour) course designed for women who want to know more about the key agronomic decisions for corn and soybean production. The sessions take a seasonal approach and cover financial decision making for pre-planting, the growing phase and harvest. Cost of production estimates and worksheets are also discussed.
Women Managing Farm Finances is a four-session (12-hour) course created to help women discover their attitudes and talents toward financial management. Course participants learn about standardized farm accounting practices and compare record keeping systems. Women discover more about balance sheets, income statements and cash flow budgets.
If you are interested in one of these courses or another course, please contact your local ISU Extension and Outreach county office.
For more information about a specific program, contact Madeline Schultz, Farm Management Women in Ag program manager, at 515-294-0588.