The Beginning Women Farmer Training Program in New Hampshire 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. 11 women were accepted into the program for the 2012-2013 program year and 11 completed the program successfully. The State Coordinator was Kate Kerman of Small and Beginning Farmers of New Hampshire. Program mentor was Christine Pressman of Nomadic Farms.
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 (73-100% 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 64-100% range where there was sufficient time for developing plans or taking action during the program, particularly developing a whole farm goal, a financial plan, and a business plan.
There was a 76% satisfaction rating for the program mentor and a 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 78-100% of participants experiencing knowledge change. Overall satisfaction with sessions were 89% or higher in 8 out of 10 sessions with 84% of the participants satisfied with the program overall.
Participant Demographic Information
Of the 11 participants:
• Average 4 years of farming
• Average 5 acres under production with total of 43 acres
Total customers of all participants: 138