EMPOWERING OHIO FARM WOMEN THROUGH EDUCATION

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EMPOWERING OHIO FARM WOMEN
THROUGH EDUCATION
Doris Herringshaw, OSU Extension Wood County,
herringshaw.1_at_osu.edu Julia Nolan Woodruff, OSU
Extension Ashland County, woodruff.94_at_osu.edu
Abstract According to the 2002 Ag
Census, there was a 22 increase in the number of
women principle operators of farms in Ohio from
1997 to 2002. This accounts for 7660 women
operators. While Ohio offers many agricultural
programs for famers, farm women are not usually
targeted and many times are intimidated or are an
afterthought at meetings. The statistics, current
interest and lack of programming for women showed
that it was time to start addressing the needs of
Ohio women involved in agriculture. Women in
Agriculture conferences and Annies Project
addressed the issues of family and business
communication, financial management, marketing,
legal risk, health and wellness, and farm safety.
The programs also introduced women to the vast
selection of resources available to assist
producers to help improve their businesses and
families. From a long running Women in Ag
Program, in Wood County an interest was developed
to expand educational opportunities that were
more in-depth. As a result, farm couple
educational tours were planned and conducted and
Annies Project was piloted in 2006 in two Ohio
counties. The programming has benefited over
2,000 women and also brought together private
industry and Extension Educators from across
program area and across the state. These efforts
have enabled Ohio to become part of a larger
Women in Agriculture movement helping to expand
our programming efforts. Evaluations have been
conducted to support each of the programs. The
results and impacts on farm families will be
shared. The results have shown a need for
continued educational efforts for this
underserved population.
Women in Agriculture supports families involved
with agriculture by conducting educational
programs and activities that address their
pursuit in building independent and productive
lives.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION
OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is
committed to ensuring that all educational
programs conducted by Ohio State University
Extension are available to clientele on a
nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race,
color, age, sex, gender identity or expression,
disability, religion, sexual orientation,
national origin, or veteran status.