Success StoryAnnie' Project



Annie' Project

Author: Carol Hinton

Planning Unit: Breckinridge County CES

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The problem 

The local Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock County areas have noticed an increase in the number of women taking active roles in the agriculture enterprises recently. Based on US Census of Ag Data, 35% of the primary farm owners in this area are women.   This is due to many factors: succession, new residents interested in farming, better resources for women, and general interests, to name a few. This area of Kentucky is also expanding in diverse enterprises ranging from vegetables, grain, cattle, small ruminants, hay, floral, direct meat sales, and agritourism. This allows for more expertise in ALL factors of the operation.


The educational program response

 Due to the need, ag leaders in the area wanted to have a program that guided these individuals to success, thus utilizing the Nationally known Annie’s Project program.  Annie’s Project is geared toward empowering women in agriculture- whether they’re just starting out, have inherited a farm due to succession, or just want to learn more about their daily operation. This six-week course that is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from local and state experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field. The goal is to help the participants develop and sharpen skills to help increase their profits, productivity, and thus the local economy.


The participants/target audience

Each county began a promotion campaign to encourage attendance, promote partnership with family members, such as business partners and sister in laws.  


Other partners (if applicable)

Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock Counties were involved in months of planning, coordinator training and promotion of the program to local clients.  Between the 3 counties, there were 24 participants that completed the program hosted in Breckinridge County. Specifically, the group entertained speakers from UK Health, UK Horticulture, Ag Economics, local marketing firms, local attorneys, FCS, ANR, and NEP agents. Each session offered time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. 


Program impact or participant response.

Based on entry and exit evaluations, of the 24 participants 22 gained knowledge in all five of the risk management areas. Ninety eight percent of participants felt that the all- women environment was important to them. When asked about the most important action step taken during the Annie’s Project course, comments were: “Started QuickBooks for better record keeping”, “gathering information for a will”, “discussion with LLC members about the business”, “marketing our business better”, “talking to accountant and lawyer about LLC books and learning about the LLC.”












Stories by Carol Hinton


Improved Farming Practices

about 4 months ago by Carol Hinton

The problemTobacco production expenses have become increasing impossible to cover with the yield and... Read More


Farmers Market and more

about 4 months ago by Carol Hinton

The problemBreckinridge County has a large population of senior citizens that are under the poverty ... Read More


Stories by Breckinridge County CES


Passport Kitchen

Passport Kitchen

about 10 months ago by Anna Denny

For five weeks, families embarked on an epic culinary adventure with the Passport Kitchen program. T... Read More


4-H Fall Fun Dance

4-H Fall Fun Dance

about 1 years ago by Anna Denny

The clever 4-H Trailblazers crew noticed that families already gathered for Halloween shindigs the F... Read More


Stories by Farm Management, Economics and Policy


Family Farm Summit

Family Farm Summit

about 4 months ago by Matthew Chadwick

The problem and planned program to respondFarmers of all disciplines recognize the need to plan for ... Read More


Land Rental Considerations Program Helps Farmers and Landowners

Land Rental Considerations Program Helps Farmers and Landowners

about 4 months ago by Miranda Rudolph

According to the USDA, the average age of U.S. farm producers in 2022 is 58.1 years, and the number ... Read More