Annie’s Project Supports Specialty Crop Farmers

By Scout Nelson

Specialty crop producers manage many challenges while growing fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Changes in weather, labor needs, production costs, markets, and business planning can affect farm success. To help producers manage these challenges, SDSU Extension offers a six-week virtual Annie’s Project workshop for specialty producers.

The program will take place online through Zoom from November 2 through December 7, 2026. Sessions will be held on November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. CST. The program is designed for specialty crop producers who have an established business that has operated for at least one year.

Annie’s Project focuses on helping farmers improve their management skills, confidence, and decision-making abilities. The program gives participants practical information that they can use in their own businesses. It also gives producers an opportunity to learn from experts, farmers, and other participants.

Specialty crop farms can face different risks than many other agricultural businesses. Producers may deal with short growing seasons, changing weather, high labor needs, limited markets, rising input costs, and food safety concerns. Strong planning can help farmers prepare for these challenges and make better business decisions.

The workshop covers five main areas of agricultural risk management. These areas include business structure and legal risk, marketing and market risk, production risk, financial risk, and human resource risk.

Business and legal topics include choosing a business structure, managing liability, understanding contracts, handling taxes, and meeting regulatory needs. Marketing topics focus on finding customers, building strong customer relationships, setting prices, and responding to changes in consumer demand.

Production risk lessons help producers understand crop challenges, weather problems, seasonal issues, input costs, and food safety. Financial topics include budgeting, cash flow, recordkeeping, profit analysis, and understanding financial statements.

Human resource lessons focus on hiring, training, keeping workers, communication, conflict management, and creating a positive workplace. These skills can help farm owners build a stronger and more productive team.

The program also includes information about USDA programs and insurance. Participants learn about federal programs, specialty crop insurance options, and other resources that may support fruit, flower, and vegetable farms.

Family and business communication is another important part of the program. Many specialty farms involve family members, partners, or other people in important decisions. Better communication can help farm teams work together, plan for the future, and manage business responsibilities.

Each session includes speakers with experience in specialty crops, agricultural insurance, finance, farm business management, marketing, and risk management. The sessions combine expert instruction with farmer experiences and group discussion. This gives participants opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from people facing similar challenges.

The program goes beyond a single workshop or field day. Participants can use the information to review their current business practices and make useful changes. The goal is to help producers build stronger operations and feel more confident when making farm decisions.

The virtual format allows producers to join from different locations. Before each live class, participants receive about one hour of online learning materials and resources. These materials are also available after the program ends. Participants are encouraged to attend all six live sessions to receive the full benefit of the program.

Couples and business partners are encouraged to attend together because many specialty farms depend on shared decision-making. Only one registration is required for each farm operation can provide their partner’s name during registration.

The registration fee is $50. This fee covers program materials, speaker costs, and access to all live sessions. Registration is required before attending the program.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-joshua-resnick