Ten women graduated from the most recent Annie’s Project program, hosted by South Dakota State University Extension, on Nov. 20 in Britton.
Women from South Dakota and North Dakota came together in Britton to learn more about the five areas of risk management, including marketing, production, financial, human and legal risks. Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and Lorna Saboe Wounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist, facilitated the interactive group of women.
“We come in as strangers and leave as friends after engaging with the women over a six-week course,” said Salverson, who coordinates Annie’s Project in South Dakota.
Annie’s Project is a national nonprofit created to educate and empower women in agriculture. It is celebrating its 20th anniversary nationally, with more than 19,000 graduates across 38 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. South Dakota has held Annie’s Project classes since 2006 and has more than 550 graduates.
The program uses a methodology that builds confidence, develops networks and creates lifelong learners among female farmers, ranchers, growers, landowners and agriculturalists.
Liz Waletich, one of the Britton program’s co-hosts, grew up in Minnesota and North Dakota where her family raised livestock. She is now married to a farmer and rancher, and works as a farm marketing consultant. She said it was a privilege to co-host the event with other women in agriculture who she admires personally and professionally.
“Whenever I can work alongside like-minded folks who are motivated by the same things, it is really a great experience,” Waletich said.
Annie’s Project has inspired her to be more proactive in her own family’s farming and ranching businesses, to facilitate business conversations and to involve women in the families she serves through her work. It has also introduced her to a network of women in agriculture that she treasures.
Source: sdstate.edu
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education