The Beginning Women Farmer Training Program in New York 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. 16 women were accepted into the program for the 2012-2013 program year and 10 completed the program successfully. The State Coordinator role was shared by Lauren Lines and Sarah Williford from Central NY RC&D. Program mentors were was Barbara Jefts, Christy Smith, and Kylie Spooner.

 

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 (92-100% participants) for such practices as developing a whole farm goal, communicating with workers, managing time, identifying logjams, pricing products, prioritizing expenses, and developing plans—financial, business, land, and grazing. Participant behavior change was mostly in the 50-100% range.

 

There was a 76% satisfaction rating for the program mentors and an 82% satisfaction rating for the state coordinator. In 9 out of the 10 sessions 88% or more of the participants noted knowledge change. That knowledge change varied depending on content of session with a 64-100% increase in knowledge change for key topics. Overall satisfaction of the program was 96%.

 

Participant Demographic Information

• Average 4 years of farming (range: 1 – 7 years)
• A total of 58 acres under production
• Average age: 43 years old (range 31 to 67 years)
• Total customers of all participants:336

 

Testimonials

“The energy and support and encouragement of BWF classmates, mentors, and instructors shed new light and have empowered me for my farm endeavors and clarified my goals.”

“I lost all my tomato/peppers and I was able to get some from a member of the class. I was able to get advice about my crops as well.“

“I feel like I have an amazing support system that was built by HMI. Great group of supportive people.”

“When I develop a future farm, I have developed a network of people to call when the time comes.”

“The network of women in this class, including mentors and instructors, is an insanely valuable resource.”

 

 

 

 

Top Post-Program Outcome Changes
Topic	% Participants Experiencing Change
Satisfaction with Communication	100%
Satisfaction with Ability to Make Complex Decisions	100%
Satisfaction with Ability to Determine Needed Profit	90%
Satisfaction with Quality of Life	80%
Satisfaction with Time Management	80%

 

 

Top Post-Program Impacts
Experienced the Following:	Percent of Participants
Human Resource Management
Improved Decision Making	100%
Clearer sense of what your farm is managing towards	90%
Better Ability to Determine Resources Available to You	90%
More Efficient Use of Resources	90%
New Policies and Systems Implemented	90%
Improved Communications on the Farm	80%
Increased Efficiency of Farm Chores as a Result of Land Planning	50%
Less Stress for Farmers	40%
Financial Management
Improved Ability to Articulate Goals and Objectives of Business to Others	100%
Enhanced Understanding of Your Farm Finances	100%
Changes in How Your Prioritize Expenses	100%
Strategies for More Effective Reinvestment in the Business	90%
New or Improved Record Keeping Systems	90%
Ability to Identify Business Challenges from Previous Years	70%
Improved Understanding of your Market and How Your Business Fits In	70%
Improved ability to determine most effective enterprises	70%
Changes in Farm Enterprises	60%
Reduced Farm Expenses	60%
New Business Systems (Improved Understanding of your Market and How Your Business Fits into These)	50%
Prioritized investments	50%
Greater efficiencies realized	50%
New markets you have entered	50%
New enterprises or products (including value-added) you are selling	40%
Improved ability to discern most appropriate market channels	40%
New marketing methods you have employed	40%
Improved ability to receive desired price for your products/services	40%
Changes in the prices you are getting for your products or services.	30%
New ways of displaying or packaging product	30%
Improved ability to effectively market products	30%
Increased Net Worth	30%
Increased  Farm Profits	20%
Enrollment in Government Programs to Support the Business	20%
Access to New Capital Including Private or Government Loans	20%
Natural Resource Management
Improved Understanding of Your Farm’s Eco-System	80%
Improved Ability to Incorporate Social, Environmental, and Financial into Your Land Plan	70%
Desired Change in Species Composition	70%
Improved Ability to Determine Appropriate Management to Address an Environmental Issue	60%
Improved Ability to Prioritize Land Planning Investments	60%
Improved Understanding of Your Forage Composition	50%
Improved Environmental Conditions on Your Farm	50%
Improved Environmental Conditions as a Result of Land Planning	40%
Reduction in Feed Costs	40%
Improved Ability to Manage Animals	40%
Less Stress for Animals	40%
Reduction of Overgrazed Plants	40%
Implementation of Specific Management Practices to Remediate an Environmental Issue	40%
Increased Forage Production	30%
Improved Environmental Conditions	30%
Improved Herd Health	30%
Clearer Sense of How Your Business Is Projected to Grow in Future Years	80%