HilaryK8, I'm glad you jumped in here. There are a whole lot of threads from when we did our FWS quilts-same group that's doing this one. If I wasn't a senior blonde I'd post a link but search under FWS finished quilts here and you'll get lots of different ideas. Some did scrappy; I did and like you I enjoyed picking the fabric one block at a time. Don't feel overwhelmed-just take it one at a time. By the time you're 1/3 of the way through you will have learned so much. I've become a much better quilter thanks to practice and all the help along the way from the group. Ask any of us questions either here or by PM.
As a beginner, it's a tough project but if you take your time with each block you'll get it. And have fun with it! I think this is a perfect project for you as a farmer's wife. When I started I didn't know the difference between a pony and a jack ass LOL. Good luck, and keep us posted.