HMI's Beginning Women Farmer Training Program in Connecticut began in October 2012 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. 15 women were accepted into the program for the 2012-2013 program year and 11 completed the program successfully. The State Coordinator was Sherry Simpson working with Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association. Program mentors were Elysa Bryant, Allyson Angelini, and Christine Farrugia. 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 (81-100% 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 20-90% range with 80% completing a whole farm goal, 70% a financial plan, and 60% a marketing plan. There was an 84% satisfaction rating for the program mentors and a 92% satisfaction rating for the state coordinator. 83% or more of the participants noted knowledge change in all sessions. That knowledge change varied depending on content of session with a 39-128% increase in knowledge change for key topics. Overall satisfaction of the program was 88%. Participant Demographic Information
The average years of farming was 2 years (range: 0 – 5 years)
The average acres farmed was 2 acres under production (range:. 0 – 4 acres)
The total customers of all participants was 251