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Hopewell Women-In-Agriculture (Working from the Earth) Association

E'licia Chaverest

Summary

Hopewell Women-In-Agriculture (Working from the Earth) Association
Virginia Ward, Gale Hipps, Ava Wise, Karyl Panion; Hopewell Women in Agriculture Association. Birmingham, Alabama and E’licia Chaverest, Alabama A&M University’s Small Farms Research Center. Normal, Alabama

Women in the south are becoming more involved with agriculture more than ever before. According to the Census of Agriculture, over 3,500 farms in Alabama are owned or operated by women. In Alabama, this trend is not just in the rural areas, but women are getting involved in urban areas, as well. As women are become more involved and engaged in agriculture, organizations are being developed to inform and educate women on programs available, risk management and business development strategies, and every other aspect of agriculture. The Small Farms Research Center at Alabama A&M University developed the program Alabama Women-In-Agriculture Incorporated, in 2003 to fit their needs. The overall goal of the women in agriculture program is to empower women engaged in agriculture and to take charge of their production and marketing decisions by providing them with technical assistance and information about the benefits and federal programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Since its existence, the Alabama Women-In-Agriculture extended its outreach arm and assisted in developing the Hopewell Women-In-Agriculture, 2006, in the urban area of Birmingham, Alabama. Hopewell Women-In-Agriculture started with (15) fifteen members connecting women and their families with specialist and experts on agriculture issues, not including business, health and overall well-being. Presently, the organization has members throughout the state of Alabama, and is continuously growing. This session aims to teach individuals on various recruiting methods and techniques to connect women in agriculture. Also, come learn about the benefits and challenges of starting a successful women’s program. Let us share our accomplishment thus far, and our future endeavors.

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