Completed Project Report


Risk Management Education for Urban Agriculture Women Entrepreneurs

  • Award Amount: $37,001
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2021 Education Projects
  • Project Director: Nikky Witkowski
  • Email: nikky@purdue.edu
  • Organization: Purdue University

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Project Overview

Risk Management Education for Women Urban Agriculture Entrepreneurs was created to empower women to be successful business owners in Indiana urban centers. Because Indiana urban farm women want to be successful entrepreneurs in their businesses, they have requested risk management education. Annie´s Project for Urban Agriculture was offered to new and expanded sites across Indiana using a combination of virtual and in-person delivery in 2 different counties in Indiana. The program met the specific needs of new business development, employee management, marketing, and understanding liability. Women and a few men, found the workshops to be eye opening of needs to consider as well as a great way to organize themselves going forward.
An in-depth marketing series followed the Annie´s Project for Urban Agriculture. The program was 4 weeks long focusing on Social Media outlets and how to design and operate farm stands that is more welcoming to the consumers. Speakers from Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri were all involved on this project. Participants were able to watch the programs live each night or recorded sessions at their leisure.
A series of on farm tours to successful urban agriculture enterprises assisted with risk management education. The tours were set at varying locations across Indiana and with varying business models, including both plant and animal production sites. These tours proved to the participants how willing individuals in the small farm arena are willing to share information and learn from each other. Every farm tour site had participants fully engaged in conversation and participants leaving with contact information for the future.
Six months after completion of the program 100% of the survey respondents implemented at least one new risk management skill into their urban farm operation to improve business viability and marketing. The survey respondents were also able to use new skill to manage stress in the last 6 months as well.

Number of Participants: 89

Outcomes

Project Steps

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

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DELIVERY AREA

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