Annie’s Project

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Plug for Annie’s Project 2013

Annie's Project 2012-Georgetown, DE graduates

Annie’s Project 2012-Georgetown, DE graduates

This is a picture of the 2012, Georgetown, DE “Annie’s Project” graduates.  This time last winter, I signed up for the short course and it was a great decision and time well spent. The course is held one night a week, for 8 weeks, with locations in Delaware and Maryland. The closest location for me was at the UD Carvel Research Center in Georgetown, DE, which it will be held again this year. Topics ranged from estate planning, tax considerations for farm businesses, farm transfers, farm insurance, and credit reports. It’s a great starting point for anyone who is potentially interested in starting or operating an ag-related business. I also walked away with a large binder of information, new friends, and a wealth of information. This year’s class starts on Jan. 30 and the cost is only $75. This includes dinner! Winter is the perfect time to do something like this. Just do it!

Even better news is there is a “Annie’s Project II” being offered as well; focus will be on retirement, succession, and estate planning. I plan to wait a few years to take this one.

Any questions? Call Tracy Wootten at 302-856-7303 or see UMD link for Annie’s Project here.

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Where Did Winter Go?

I was supposed to rest this winter. So much for that. I’ve been going non-stop in my spare time and much has been for ag related purposes. So much, in fact, that I didn’t blog the entire month of February. Right after the annual DE Ag Industry dinner, I began an 8 week class called Annie’s Project, on Wednesday nights. The first weekend of February I attended my 2nd conference for Common Ground in Charleston, South Carolina…and here it is March already and my family is back in the greenhouse.

To catch up for lost time, here’s a recap of national and state ag related news or events I’ve been following this winter:

  • First woman elected Chair of the United Soybean Board:Meet Vanessa Kummer
  • DE Public Archives released an Agriculture Photo Collection from Delaware in the 1920’s and 1930’s (I loved seeing many of the old farm practices captured in these pictures as well as some 4-H events!)
  • UD names new head of Cooperative Extension: Meet Ms. Michelle Rodgers (her start date is April 2nd!)
  • USDA closes 259 offices, including consolidation of 131 FSA offices (this link is the latest article from March 3)
  • Bill Gates Endorses Ag Research  (or watch  this Bill Gates video, supporting genetically modified food research) Our industry could use his voice more! I’m so glad he spoke up!
  • Annie’s Project Convenes (more to come on this 8 week agribusiness course for women) I graduate tomorrow night!
  • Common Ground launches new website: www.findourcommonground.com (more to come on this, too, but this website is an awesome resource to answer popular consumer questions) Take a few minutes to check it out!
  • Regional Women in Ag Conference was February 9-10, 2012 (I couldn’t find any media on this and I didn’t make it this year because of my full-time work but heard it went well!)
  • DE Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director named: Meet Mr. Bob Walls
  • National Ag Week & Agricultural Safety Awareness Week was March 4-10, 2012 (sponsored by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety because it is one of the most hazardous industries)
  • National Ag Day was March 8, 2012 (sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America)

This is a quick list, but as you can see, there’s been no shortage of agriculture news and events this winter. With the early arrival of mild weather, it looks like there will be no rest for the weary in between seasons.  By the way, the first day of spring is next Tuesday, March 20. Just where did winter go?