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Five Years of Progress: Women Increasing Skills and Education (WISE) with Virginia Cattle and Equipment

Extension Education

Cynthia Gregg
Extension Agent, ANR (Animal Science)
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Brunswick County
LAWRENCEVILLE

Abstract

Women in Agriculture (WIA) play an increasingly significant role in farm management and farm operations.  According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, 58% of farms had a female involved in decision-making, and 11% had a female principal operator. In Virginia, over 20,000 women actively shape farm decisions. Farms transitioning due to life events and other factors, agricultural women are assuming increased farm duties, those historically performed by men.  In response, a team of female Virginia Cooperative Extension Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agents developed a hands-on series offering animal and farm equipment focused educational topics for women in agriculture in a non-threatening, friendly and open educational environment.  These flagship programs adopted the acronym WISE (Women Increasing Skills and Education) and were coined CATTLE WISE and EQUIPMENT WISE.  Workshops have been offered yearly since 2021 at various geographical locations across Virginia.  WISE programs have secured over $100,000 in funding and in-kind contributions since inception. Workshop sessions have focused on calf care, low-stress cattle handling, bull selection, medication basics, trailer backing, trailer loading, chainsaw safety, advanced tractor driving, equipment maintenance, and fencing. A total of 323 women attended WISE programs over the past 5 years, representing 24 Virginia counties and neighboring states. Evaluations show significant impact. At Cattle WISE, 86.5% of participants reported increased confidence in low-stress cattle handling, and 91.8% felt more confident in administrating animal health products. Equipment WISE reported similar gains, with 90% planning to apply farm equipment maintenance skills and 86% noting increased confidence. A five-year follow-up survey revealed that 86% of past participants made changes on their farms, and 90% improved safety practices. Over half reported stronger engagement with Virginia Cooperative Extension.  One participant shared “I’ve attended four out of the five years, and each year I walk away with new skills and more confidence. I didn’t go to college for agriculture, but these events have expanded my knowledge and helped create a supportive network of amazing women across the state. We truly are stronger together, and learning is power.” WISE programs empower women to lead safer, more productive farms, reducing accidents and strengthening rural economies.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Cynthia Gregg, Jpanne Jones, Mackenzie Gunn, Amy Byington, Rebecca Roberts, Jennifer Ligon, Amber Taylor, Meredith Hoggatt, Sarah Sharpe, Elizabeth Cooper, Sara Rutherford, Elizabeth Baldwin, Kloe Rife, Kari Sponaugle, Livvy Preisser, Sierra Seekford, Rachel Parson, Stephanie Blevins, Kendra Phipps, Amanda Fletcher, Rosemary Life, Kim Bryant, Alyssa Large
  1. Gregg, C. Extension Agent, ANR (Animal Science), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23868
  2. Jones, J. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23923
  3. Gunn, M. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23002
  4. Byington, A. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24277
  5. Roberts, R. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24531
  6. Ligon, J. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23921
  7. Taylor, A. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23040
  8. Hoggatt, M. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24073
  9. Sharpe, S. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 22968
  10. Cooper, E. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23890
  11. Rutherford, S. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23847
  12. Baldwin, E. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 22611
  13. Rife, K. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24134
  14. Sponaugle, K. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24465
  15. Preisser, L. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23397
  16. Seekford, S. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 23832
  17. Parson, R. Extension Associate (Specialist), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24060
  18. Blevins, S. Extension Associate (Specialist), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 24060
  19. Phipps, K. Extension Agent, Agriculture, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina, 28607
  20. Fletcher, A. Program Assistant, Small Farm Outreach, Virginia Cooperative Extension/Virginia State University , Virginia, 23806
  21. Life, R. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 22801
  22. Bryant, K. Extension Agent, ANR, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia, 22949
  23. Large, A. Extension Agent, I, University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension, Tennessee, 37869