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About the Project

Inspired by the early success of Annie’s Project New Jersey, Rutgers University partnered with Akdeniz University in Turkey to develop Suzanne’s Project in the Antalya province of Turkey.

Sebahat Kilinc, a farmer in the village of Elmali, Turkey, is interviewed by Rutgers professor Dr. Robin Brumfield and Dr. Burhan Özkan of Akdeniz University, Turkey. Photo Credit: Mick Minard
Sebahat Kilinc, a farmer in the village of Elmali, Turkey, is interviewed by Rutgers professor Dr. Robin Brumfield and Dr. Burhan Özkan of Akdeniz University, Turkey. Photo Credit: Mick Minard

 

Suzanne’s Project Goals are to develop the technical and managerial capacities of Turkish women farmers through education, while supporting the region’s economic advancement toward sustainable agriculture and gender equality. The objective is to examine the participants’ socio-economic status, obtain a better understanding of their farming system and determine their level of interest in improved production technologies, business planning and management strategies. This also includes demonstrating new tools for best farm practices, building a sense of community and ultimately, empowering the women.

“Women currently account for approximately 45% of Turkey’s agricultural workforce, we implemented Suzanne’s Project in recognition of women farmers as critical agents for enhancing agricultural and rural development and food security in Turkey.” Dr. Brumfield

Why “Suzanne’s Project”?

Suzanne’s Project, or Suzan’ın Projesi is named after Suzanne Brumfield Yavuz, a passionate advocate for education, sustainable food, farming and gender equality,very much like her mother, Robin Brumfield, Ph.D.

Suzanne’s Project for Enterprising Women Farmers

Professor Brumfield formed a partnership with Akdeniz University in Antalya, Turkey. This partnership adapted the Annie’s Project model to train Turkish women farmers on the basic skills and best practices necessary for them to sustain and scale profitable agricultural businesses.

Written, Narrated and Photographed by Mick Minard

 

Learn more…

This is a visual narrative describing the process of establishing Suzanne’s Project, an educational program to empower women farmers in Antalya, Turkey in 2011 in words and pictures. It describes the needs assessment we conducted of women farmers and extension agents in the region, and the results of the first pilot project we developed to meet those needs.

Read The Women Farmers Project (Ciftci Kadin Projesi)