Annie's Project In New Jersey - Challenges In Adapting a Program From Midwest Agriculture to New Jersey Female Horticultural Producers

Annie’s Project began in 2003 in the mid-west as a program for farm and ranch women addressing risk management. The six-session, eighteen hour course has no standard curricula and is tailored to local needs.  Most states that have developed Annie’s projects focused on agronomic crops. New Jersey is the second most densely populated state in the U.S. and has a very diverse agriculture. From 2010 USDA state data, 4 of the top 5 agricultural commodities in the state in terms of total farm receipts are horticultural crops with the greenhouse/nursery sector accounting for 38% for the state’s total farm receipts.  A large number of farms participate in direct marketing and agri-tourism.  From the 2007 Census of Agriculture, women in New Jersey operate 22% of the 10,327 farms in New Jersey.  This accounts for only 9% of the 733,450 acres of New Jersey farms. The average size of female operated farm is only 29 acres and average market value of products sold is only $22,170 annually, compared to the New Jersey farm average of $95,564. Half of the female operated farms in the state make less than $1000/year. To prepare for our Annie’s Project training, we held two listening sessions of potential participants and followed up with an on-line survey to help identify topics and speakers.  We found enthusiasm among potential female participants as well as the agricultural support community.  We found some difference in what New Jersey women want verses what has been offered in other states.  We found that instead of True Colors (a personality profile survey), New Jersey women wanted information on labor management. We also found that they wanted a greater emphasis on price and market risk. Our participants completed a full business plan during the course.