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Improved Lives: Iowa Annie’s Project Long-Term Impact Study

Ryan Drollette, Madeline Schultz, Lisa Scarbrough , Ann Johanns, Patrick Hatting, Paul Martin, Timothy Christensen, Eric Weuve , and Joseph Lensing

Summary

Women have significant roles in Iowa agriculture. Women own just under half (46.0%) of all Iowa farmland, and a majority (54.0%) of all leased land. Nearly one-third (32.7%) of all Iowa farmers are women. They make key decisions, as nearly three-fourths (72.5%) are involved in financial management. More than half are involved in land use decisions (52.4%) and estate or succession planning (56.3%). Response: Annie’s Project is a national program that empowers women in agriculture to succeed through education, networks, and resources. The team completed 141 Annie’s Project 18-hour courses from 2004 to 2025. To assess long-term impact, the team emailed a survey to past participants with valid addresses in late 2025/early 2026. Nearly 200 responses were received. Two virtual focus groups were also conducted. The survey was designed to measure the risk-management actions women took as a result of their participation in Annie’s Project. It asked women to estimate the cost savings and the additional income from those actions. Both the survey and the focus group asked about key measures of sustainability and quality of life. The focus groups allowed women to share personal stories. This presentation reports the impact study results and compares them with the goals stated in Annie’s Project's logic model. Extension plays an important role in expanding knowledge and empowering women. Annie’s Project leads to improved farm profitability, increased conservation practices, and stronger community networks. By improving agricultural sustainability, women in the industry are key stakeholders in producing safe, accessible, and plentiful food.

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