Delivering Annie’s Project in ND Electronically By: Willie Huot State Project Coordinator

Empowering women to become better business partners

2006 Program in ND Partnered with Minnesota Funded largely by a RMA grant Delivered to 5 sites Fargo, Grand Forks, Grafton, Minot, Jamestown 95 participants In ND Registration fees: $50.00

2006 Sites Two sites with all local presenters Three sites with presentations done via IVN

What we learned about electronic delivery Can be used as an effective delivery tool Greatly reduces costs Can be challenging if used exclusively for the delivery method Requires scheduling many months in advance Requires special skills for presenters

2007 Program in ND No grant funds Partnered with private businesses Delivered to sixteen sites in ND Enrollment of 300 participants Registration fees of $100.00

State Wide Sponsors 2007

State Wide Sponsorships (Minimum: $1,000) Help pay the overall costs of project Software Portfolios Marketing & Promotion Speaker fees/honorariums Site expenses (except for food/meals )

Local Sponsorships Help offset local meal costs for participants Provide for some scholarships No minimum $ amount or deadline

Sponsor recognition State wide Recognition on all promotional pieces relating to project. Local Sponsorships Recognized locally.

Program Delivery Part of each program delivered over the Interactive Video Network Part of each program delivered at each location by local professionals Each session approximately 3 hours long Each session begins with light meal to foster networking and sharing within group

Local experts

Program content Human resources, personality profiles Women & finances Farm & ranch financial records Using spreadsheet & other software Crop & livestock marketing Business Plans- Bringing it all together

ND Sites for Annie’s Project in 2007

Minot Class 2007

2008 Project Planned for approximately 300 participants 23 locations Most new sites were in the Western part of the state Registration fee $ No major change in delivery methods Began 3 rd week in January

Developed Facilitator’s Manual Edited by facilitators Detailed descriptions Used in 2008 Valuable resource Reduced “anxiety”

Program Promotions Web site: Program brochures Ads (AGWEEK and FARM & RANCH) Newsletters & feature stories Radio advertising Word of mouth

2008 State Wide Sponsors

Registration Process for 2008 Registrations began in Oct 2007 On line: MSWord or PDF List updated daily Cost: $ per person (Must accompany registration application) January 9, 2008 registration deadline $35.00 late fee after this date Classes began week of January 21, 2008

What past participants have said “Farming is a partnership between husband and wife, not just the husband’s career” “I changed my mind about letting my husband make all the marketing decisions. I fee the best decisions will now be made jointly” “Every women in farming should take this course. The knowledge, sharing and empowerment are priceless!! I wish I would have known all this years ago!!

Financial Overview No Extension staff receive additional $$ for being involved in the project Non Extension presenters receive honorariums $ registration fees pay for about 75% of participant’s cost (No complaints about registration fee)

Financial Overview (Continued) Statewide sponsorships generates $ $10,000 per year (Farm Credit Services & North Dakota Grain Growers) Local each site pay for all meals All revenues from registrations & state sponsors sent to central location. Counties receive reimbursement for: Room/lab rent, copying costs, misc. expenses

Keys for Successful Program Delivery Very committed staff In-Service training (two per year) State-wide plan for promotion, administration & coordination Partnering with the private sector Statewide & Local sponsors Website Work closely with Annie’s Project founders!!

Questions???