MEXICO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Mary Sobba is the winner of the 2018 Annie’s Project Women in Ag Educator Award.

A 25-year extension regional faculty member, Sobba taught the first Missouri Annie’s Project in 2004.

“The class was well attended, and she was excited to share it with her colleagues,” said Karisha Devlin, MU Extension interim northeast regional director. “Her enthusiasm for the program prompted other colleagues to get involved and soon the program was being taught statewide.”

Annie’s Project programs are offered in 38 states to help women develop skills in problem-solving, record-keeping and decision-making on the farm and ranch.

Sobba’s education and farm background give her experiences to engage rural audiences. She is a past state co-coordinator for Annie’s Project and also served on the Annie’s Project national leadership team. She also worked on two projects inspired by Annie’s Project: Women in Boots and Blue Jeans, and Women Marketing Grain & Livestock.

“No matter what Mary does, she does it with excellence,” said Devlin. “Mary is the epitome of a true agricultural professional and is someone we all try to emulate. Her organization and dedication to the program has resulted in 1,015 farm women being reached in Missouri.”

The Annie’s Project award is given in honor of the late Bob Wells, who served as an MU Extension educator in Pike County before working at Iowa State University. The award recognizes an educator who shows dedication and excellence in educational programming for farm and ranch women.

Devlin and MU agricultural business specialist Wesley Tucker nominated Sobba.

For more information, visit www.anniesproject.org.