Program Designed to Empower Women Landowners
A program designed particularly for women involved in agriculture proved so popular its expanding to include producers throughout Missouri through in-person and online seminars. The On My Own seminar strives to equip and empower female landowners and farmers with the knowledge they need to manage their operations.
The program started last spring when ag business specialists recognized a need for education created especially for women. “I just kept getting call after call where ladies just didn’t know what they needed to know. And so, I thought there is an opportunity for some education here,” Amie Breshears, Ag Business Field Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “My thought was let’s make a place where women can get answers that they need.”
Education and Environment
Though welcome to all producers, Breshears and her colleagues created the series specifically for women who are managing operations ‘on their own’. Education and environment are central to the program. “I not only want to provide education but also have a place they can come and feel camaraderie. They need a place they can go and freely ask questions that maybe they wouldn’t have asked in a mixed environment,” Breshears added.
The demand for the On My Own series serves as affirmation of the importance and need for seminars and classes developed with women in mind. The educational aspect of the program is important to producers, but so is the networking opportunity. Women leave the seminars knowing other farmers and landowners who are dealing with similar issues and questions.
Program Expansion
The On My Own program kicked off in the spring of 2024 in eight Missouri counties. Due to its success, other extension offices requested it be available to women in more counties. The short format seminars are now available at 10 physical locations in the state. Breshears also implemented two virtual sessions to accommodate women who are interested in being a part of the class but live too far to join in person.
“What is different from the spring and summer is now it’s in the evening, also available online and includes updated, fresh information from Rental Rate Survey 2024 and Farmland Value Opinion Survey 2024,” Breshears explained. Producers interested in being a part of the program can receive additional information and register online through their county extension office and website.
Topics Covered
The current On My Own seminar addresses numerous topics. Breshears leads producers in conversations and shares information about land leases, custom work costs and land values. Participants in the seminar will receive the latest data regarding rental rate and land value trends. They also learn about ag leasing and evaluating costs.
Experts help guide producers in the best practices when it comes to negotiating a lease agreement, or when considering financial decisions related to land investments. They also discuss how to negotiate custom hay baling prices and analyze their overall financial picture.
Breshears is already thinking about topics for other On My Own seminars. “I am always interested in ideas for future classes. I have had some interest in succession planning, so that may be something we do,” she commented.
