The Beginning Women Farmer Training Program in Maine began in January 2013 and ran through May of 2013. This program was part of HMI’s Beginning Women Farmer Program funded by the USDA/NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. 19 women were accepted into the program for the 2012-2013 program year and 15 completed the program successfully. The State Coordinator was Gail Chase of Maine Women’s Agricultural Network. Program mentor was Diane Schivera of Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener Association.

The data below demonstrates that a high level of knowledge and attitude change occurred and that the women completed or modified numerous farm plans (actual behavior change) which resulted in many benefits. Most participants experienced increased confidence in key farm/ranch management practices (65-100% participants) for such practices as developing a whole farm goal, communicating with workers, managing time, identifying logjams, pricing products, prioritizing expenses, and developing plans or implementing production in such areas as finances, business, land planning, and grazing. Participant behavior change was in the 50-100% range with 100% completing a whole farm goal.

There was a 94% satisfaction rating for the program mentors and a 90% satisfaction rating for the state coordinator. 82% or more of the participants noted knowledge change in all sessions. That knowledge change varied depending on content of session with a 41-134% increase in knowledge change for key topics. Overall satisfaction of the program was 92%.

 

 

Participant Demographic Information

• The average years of farming was  2 years (range: 0 – 5 years)
• The total acres farmed was 307 acres  (range:. 0.33 – 200 acres)
• The average age was 43 (range: 26 – 62 years old)
• Total Customers of participants: 295

 

Testimonials

“It is inspiring to have met so many people committed to agricultural pursuits.”

“The relationships and networks created as a result of this class are priceless! So many great women came together to take this class and we will all leave with so many new and lasting connections. We didn’t just bond as a class, we bonded as a network of women across the Northeast.”

“The program opened up new markets for goods.”

“I found endless farm fresh eggs anytime for my value added products.”

“I have been connected to a group of people with varying experience and knowledge, with whom I can trade ideas and share learning.”“I have befriended fellow classmates – one sells me eggs to sell at farmers’ markets, one also has horses & beef so we talk about grazing, health issues, pricing of beef. Our livestock advisor has been great to talk to about health and pastures.”

 

 

 

 

 

Top Post-Program Outcomes
Outcomes	Percent of Participants
Human Resource Management
Clearer sense of what your farm is managing towards	92%
Better Ability to Determine Resources Available to You	85%
More Efficient Use of Resources	77%
Improved Decision Making	77%
Improved Communications on the Farm	62%
Better Relationships	54%
New Policies and Systems Implemented	38%
Increased Efficiency of Farm Chores as a Result of Land Planning	31%
Financial Management
Improved Ability to Articulate Goals and Objectives of Business to Others	77%
Improved Understanding of your Market and How Your Business Fits In	77%
Clearer Sense of How Your Business Is Projected to Grow in Future Years	69%
New or Improved Record Keeping Systems	69%
Enhanced Understanding of Your Farm Finances	69%
Changes in How Your Prioritize Expenses	62%
Improved ability to determine most effective enterprises	54%
Improved ability to effectively market products	54%
New marketing methods you have employed	46%
Prioritized investments	46%
Strategies for More Effective Reinvestment in the Business	46%
Improved ability to discern most appropriate market channels	38%
Changes in Farm Enterprises	38%
Improved ability to receive desired price for your   products/services	38%
Changes in the prices you are getting for your products or   services.	38%
Reduced Farm Expenses	31%
Enrollment in Government Programs to Support the Business	31%
Ability to Identify Business Challenges from Previous Years	31%
Greater efficiencies realized	31%
New enterprises or products (including value-added) you are   selling	31%
New ways of displaying or packaging product	31%
New markets you have entered	31%
Natural Resource Management
Improved Understanding of Your Farm’s Eco-System	85%
Improved Ability to Determine Appropriate Management to Address an Environmental Issue	85%
Improved Ability to Incorporate Social, Environmental, and Financial into Your Land Plan	85%
Improved Understanding of Your Forage Composition	77%
Improved Ability to Prioritize Land Planning Investments	77%
Improved Environmental Conditions as a Result of Land Planning	62%
Implementation of Specific Management Practices to Remediate an Environmental Issue	54%
Enhanced Production as a Result of Land Planning	46%
Improved Environmental Conditions on Your Farm	46%
Desired Change in Species Composition	46%
Improved Ability to Manage Animals	38%
Less Stress for Animals	31%
Achievement of Environmental Goals in Your Land Plan	31%
Enrollment in Government Land or Infrastructure Programs	15%
Increased Forage Production	15%
Improved Environmental Conditions	15%
Longer Grazing Seasons	15%

 

 

Session Satisfaction
	Class Percent rated good or   excellent
Session   One—Whole Farm Goal Setting	94%
Session   Two—Time Management and Decision Testing	82%
Session   Three—Financial Planning Overview	100%
Session   Four—Enterprise Analysis	100%
Session   Five—Market Planning	73%
Session   Six—Business Planning	100%
Session   Seven–Leadership & Communication	88%
Session   Eight—Land Planning	92%
Session   Nine—Soil Fertility	100%
Session   Ten—Grazing Planning	100%