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