Based on the USDA Census of Agriculture, from 2012 to 2017, farm operations with a female principal producer went from 185 to 439. The Grayson County Cooperative Extension Service has noticed an increase in female clientele in programming and for walk in consultations on different topics. There was Even after the Farm Basics program that Farm Service Agency collaborated on, the participation continued to increase. The Agriculture agent saw a need based on the types of questions that were being fielded that a program geared towards women in agriculture would likely be a beneficial program. Therefore, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent developed a program based on basic farm management titled “Farm Management Basics for Women.” This program was a 4 part mini-series that included setting goals, farm management, evaluating land and natural resources, money, leasing options, estate planning and overview of markets. The program utilized speakers and resources from the Family and Consumer Science agent, local county attorney, USDA Farm Service Agency, Soil Conservation, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) and UK Ag Economics.

Fourteen women participated in the program ranging from age 21 to 70. There were a wide variety of agriculture production areas represented, and many different backgrounds. Based on pre and post evaluations, all 14 participants intended to utilize the resources from the program to help continue to develop their farming operation. All 14 participants learned gained a higher level of understanding of resources, financial principles, markets, farm profitability, estate and retirement planning. Based on surveys, the participants indicated that from this program, they would like more information on succession planning and basic production systems so that they can help understand what happens daily on the farm. More than anything, the ladies that participated in the program now have a  network of people the can reach out to for resources.

Going forward, the Agriculture agent plants to develop a bi-monthly program that will cover topics suggested in the evaluations as well as some new topics. The goal is to increase the women in agriculture network in Grayson County.