28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1 Telephone: 410-822-1244 Easton, MD 21601 Fax: 410-822-5627 September 14, 2015

Dear Women in Agriculture Supporter,

The MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture initiative has gained unforeseen momentum in the last six years through programs such as Annie's Project, Annie's Project II: Managing for Today and Tomorrow, a multi-state Women in Agriculture Conference, local farm tours, Wednesday Webinars and social media. The program delivers risk and farm management training to women across the region through a variety of learning environments and incorporates education in the risk areas of: human, legal, marketing, production, financial.

Women in agriculture programs strive to increase content knowledge, provide networking opportunities, encourage risk management implementation in hopes of increasing confidence, awareness and farm profitability. To date this program has reached over 900 Women in Agriculture.

This year we ask that you consider sponsorship of these important programs. Sponsors have the opportunity to be recognized as a sponsor online and in program information. Please see the attached sheet for details. Sponsoring creates networking opportunities with potential customers and is a cost-effective way to reach regional and targeted audiences.

In 2016 various locations across Maryland, Delaware and Virginia will offer an Annie’s Project focused class www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project and the 15th Women in Agriculture Regional Conference will be held on February 11th www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag.

Thank you for your consideration, should you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Please complete the enclosed sponsorship form and return to us no later than December 1, 2015.

Sincerely,

Shannon Dill Extension Educator, AGNR University of Maryland Extension Talbot County sdill@umd.edu

Jennifer Rhodes Extension Educator, AGNR University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County jrhodes@umd.edu

Educate Engage

Empower

2016 & EDUCATE ~ ENGAGE ~ EMPOWER

Supporting the MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture Initiative

Why Support the Program? Reached over 900 Women in Agriculture in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey Opportunity to be recognized as a sponsor online and in course information Creates networking opportunities with potential customers Cost-effective way to reach state wide audience Exhibit space at the annual Women in Agriculture Conference

Program Descriptions 1. Annie’s Project is designed to empower women in agriculture to manage information systems used in critical decision making processes and to build local networks throughout the state. The target audience is women in agriculture with a passion for business and involvement in the farm operation. This program has reached over 450 women in Maryland and Delaware since 2008. www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project

2. Managing for Today and Tomorrow is designed to empower women to grow their agriculture business’ legacy into the future. The class will focus on succession, business, estate and retirement planning. Through the six session program, professionals and up-to-date resources will be available to all participants. www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project

3. 15th Annual Regional Women in Agriculture Conference goals are to offer women who are involved with agriculture an opportunity to come together to learn about current issues and topics so they can make informed decisions concerning their agribusinesses and family lives. Sessions will cover topics in marketing, financial, production and legal and reach about 180 women annually. FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Location: Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover DE www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag

4. Wednesday Webinars are offered twice a month on relevant topics in farming and risk manage-ment. Participants can log on for an hour and learn more about various topics. www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag/webinars

Annie’s Project Participants

Average Age 45

Acres Owned 51,187

Acres Farmed 118,958

Years Farming 4,575

Average Years Farming 17

N=317

Comments from Surveyed Participants

End of Class 18 Month Follow Up “Women involved in agriculture in any way can ben-efit from these topics, even if the involvement is still in dream form. This provides the inspiration and sparks initiative” “Great opportunity for women to share ideas and experiences, supportive atmosphere” “Annie's will change our destiny both on the farm, and my personal business” “Re-confirms and re-empowers me as a business partner in our operation.”

“Learned more about QuickBooks and now we do our own quarterly statements instead of our CPA” “I am keeping better records, improved grain mar-keting and changed insurance policies” “We have been able to sit down and begin planning our farms’ future” “I enjoyed the project. It did make us re-think our trusts. It made us purchase an umbrella insurance policy.”

For more information: www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MidAtlanticWomenInAgriculture Follow us on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/womeninagma Twitter: @MidAtlanticWIA Instagram: @MidAtlanticWIA

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES ~

Diamond Level $5,000

8ft exhibit table and 10 complimentary main conference registrations, including meals

2 complimentary pre-conference registrations, including reception

Premium (8 1/2 x11) Ad Space in Conference Program

Logo recognition including weblink on website and all social media platforms

Logo recognition on all print materials published throughout the year.

Company name announced during pre-conference and conference including a 3 minute PSA during main conference

Platinum $2,500

8ft exhibit table and 6 complimentary main conference registrations, including meals

1 complimentary pre-conference registrations including reception

Premium (8 1/2 x11) Ad Space in Conference Program

Logo recognition including weblink on website and all social media platforms

Logo recognition on all print materials published throughout the year.

Company name announced during pre-conference and conference

Gold Level $1,000

8ft exhibit table and 4 complimentary main conference registrations, including meals

Half Page (8 1/2 x5 1/2) Ad Space in Conference Program

Name recognition on website and all social media platforms

Name recognition on all print materials published throughout the year.

Company name announced during conference

Silver Level $500

8ft exhibit table and 2 complimentary main conference registrations, including meals

Quarter Page (4.75 x 5.5) Ad Space in Conference Program

Name recognition on website and all social media platforms

Name recognition on all print materials published throughout the year.

Table Vendor $150

8ft exhibit table and 1 complimentary main conference registrations, including meal

*********************************

Must submit artwork and logo by December 15, 2015 to be included. Print ready JPEG can be sent to Victoria Corcoran at vgc@umd.edu

&

EDUCATE

ENGAGE

EMPOWER

15th Annual Conference

February 10-11, 2016

About the Conference

Annual conference held in the

MidAtlantic region to focus on the

unique needs and interests of

women in agriculture

Half Day Preconference

Workshop

3 Keynote Presentations

15 Breakout Sessions

180 participants from 5 states

Exhibitors from around the

region

Additional Annual Offerings ~

Wednesday Webinars

Farm Tours

Annie’s Project Classes

Supper Seminars

For additional 2016 conference information and upcoming Women In Ag offerings:

www.extension.umd.edu/womeninag @MidAtlanticWIA

/MidAtlanticWomenInAgriculture

Sponsorship Form Sponsor Level

� Table Vendor � Silver � Gold � Platinum � Diamond

$________________ Enclosed Please make checks payable to: University of Maryland Sponsor Information (as it should appear in the program) NAME OF ORGANIZATION:______________________________________________________

NAME(S) OF REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDING: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

PHONE: _______________________________________________________________

CELL: __________________________________________________________________

EMAIL: _________________________________________________________________

Please return to us by December 1, 2015: University of Maryland Extension c/o Women in Agriculture 28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1 Easton, Maryland 21601 410-822-1244

THANK YOU!