Agribusiness Women as Sponsors and Partners in Delivering Marketing Education to Producers

1. Agribusiness Women as Sponsors and Partners in Delivering Marketing Education to Producers Bret Oelke � Regional Extension Educator, Agricultural Business Management, University of Minnesota- Email: oelke002@umn.edu Emily Finney � Crop Insurance Manager, Burd and Rise Insurance Agency- Email: emily_holte@hotmail.com Bill Craig � Regional Extension Educator, Agricultural Business Management, University of Minnesota- Email: craig030@umn.edu 

2. Objectives To provide and overview of the University of Minnesota Extension Service program sponsorship model Outline the management and operation of University of Minnesota Grain Marketing Groups Explore the unique challenges facing Agribusiness Women in dealing with a primarily male client base Explain the benefits to Agribusiness Women and their customers by working with the Agricultural Business Management Team of the U of M Extension Service

3. The Sponsor Model Sponsor pays a fee for a prepared, research based Ag Business program � Winning the Game as an example The sponsor recruits attendees and provides a venue U of M staff market, deliver and evaluate the program

8. The Sponsor Model Many Winning the Game Sponsors end up hosting or partnering with U of M staff to deliver ongoing commodity marketing education with marketing groups

9. The Sponsor Model for Marketing Groups The sponsoring business collects a fee from participating producers and covers facility and refreshment cost as well as other incidentals for the group The U of M receives funds to cover the travel, technology, and professional development for instructors Usually 12 � 17 farms are in a group

10. The Sponsor Model Sponsors include: Banks Farm Credit Associations Grain Elevators Farm Organizations (Local Farm Bureau�s) Insurance Agencies

11. Marketing Groups Facilitated by regional educators Educators provide content Lead and encourage discussion Answer or find answers to questions Sponsored by Ag Businesses Provide location Invite customers and prospects Provide input Manage details

12. Marketing Groups Groups meet for 90 to 120 minutes 12 to 16 times per year Fees vary but are approximately $500 per farm per year Sponsors contribute expertise to the group Finance, crop insurance, grain merchandising, farm management and other areas

13. Agribusiness Women as sponsors Several sponsoring businesses are led by Women or have women in key roles AgStar Financial Services -Marketing Group in St. Cloud, Minnesota Burd and Rise -Marketing Group in Halstad, Minnesota CenBank Marketing- Group in Ortonville, Minnesota Tri-Angle Ag � Winning the Game co-sponsor Barnesville, Minnesota Pine City State Bank � Winning the Game sponsor MinnWest Bank of Detroit Lakes Minnesota � Winning the Game sponsor Others

14. Challenges to Women in Ag Business �Non-traditional� role Building Credibility Developing Trust

15. How we started our group Contacted Center for Farm Financial Management about Marketing Groups Sponsored Winning the Game 1 session Held an introductory meeting

16. How we started our group Discovering Interest Surveying area producers Assessing producers knowledge and understanding of marketing and marketing tools

17. How we started our group Identified Location Where were other marketing groups or clubs What facilities were available Where were our customers and prospects coming from How close to our offices so we meet with clients before or after sessions

18. How we started our group Recruitment Initial On-going Management Membership fees Meetings Partnerships/relationships U of M Other businesses Producers Career Development Skill enhancement

19. Benefits to My Business Relationships Trust Respect Integrity

20. Benefits to My Customers Knowledge Understanding Service Comfort

21. Summary The University of Minnesota provides a sponsorship model that allows Agribusiness Women along with other business partners the opportunity to sponsor Grain Marketing Groups, which in turn gives these women the trust and respect of a primarily male client base.

22. Agribusiness Women as Sponsors and Partners in Delivering Marketing Education to Producers