About Us

Annie’s Project is an educational program dedicated to strengthening women’s roles in modern farm and ranch enterprises. Launched in 2003 by University of Illinois Extension Educator Ruth Hambleton, Annie’s Project is a tribute to her mother, Annette Kohlhagen Fleck.

The program honors Annie’s entrepreneurship and her goal of raising a family and being an active partner in the family farm operation.

Farming is a complex business and more farm women are becoming active business partners in their operations. The target audience is farm women with a passion for business and involvement. Participants will gain a better understanding of human resource issues, business plans, financial documentation, property titles, cash and crop share leases, marketing plans, retirement and estate planning and types of insurance.

Our mission is to empower farm and ranch women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.

Annie’s Project (AP) is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) organization established for the purpose of providing education and other opportunities to woman farmers and ranchers so that these women can become effective owners and partners in farm businesses. The flagship program offered through AP is called Annie’s Project.

AP has developed a series of classes that address a variety of issues confronted by female farmers and ranchers. Through six educational sessions, Annie’s Project fosters problem solving, record keeping, and decision-making skills from the five areas of risk as identified by USDA.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow, teaches business, estate, retirement and succession planning. Farm and ranch women have an opportunity to develop networks and skills key to planning successful farm transitions.

Know Your Numbers – Know Your Options, offers a better understanding of how financial records can be used to make decisions and confidently discuss their financial position with their family, business partners, and lenders.

Inspired by Annie’s Project programs are specific to local needs and have had a significant impact, assisting women to develop additional skills in the areas of information management, financial documents, land ownership and leasing, marketing commodities and any educational needs farm and ranch women may encounter.

Programs are localized and conducted in small groups. Women are provided a safe harbor to learn in a stress free, open environment. They are encouraged to contribute their life experiences to facilitate learning from each other. Local specialists provide the skilled guidance needed for the educational process to blossom. Hear what participants have to say.

If there is not a site near you, ask the Director of Administration to add you to our list of interested clients.