North Dakota State University Extension Service is sponsoring a "Women in Ag" conference titled, "Strengthening Our Way of Life." It is open to all women involved in agriculture.
The subject matter was decided upon by surveying students from previous agricultural women's training conferences in North Dakota, according to Emily Tescher-Johnston, conference coordinator and Ward County, N.D., Extension Service agent.
Topics
The top three focus areas identified in the surveys were family communication, record keeping and marketing.
"The main focus will probably be with our keynote speaker, Dr. Ron Hanson. He's going to speak twice on farm family communication," Tescher-Johnston says.
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Hanson will deliver the first talk at the welcome dinner.
"This dinner session is the one area where we are sending a special invitation to husbands and significant others," she says. "Hanson's message will be geared to couples involved in farm transitions or with generational challenges, so we're going to let the men register for that session."
Hanson will deliver a second speech, titiled "Fence Posts Talking to Each Other," during breakfast the next morning.
Sessions
The remainder of the day is scheduled for six breakout sessions, including a discussion on beef marketing by columnist Walt Hackney. Crop marketing specialist Frayne Olson will discuss choosing the right marketing tools and horticulturist Tom Kalb will do a presentation on hardy plants. Financial adviser Jocelyn McCarthy will talk about family finances from a woman's perspective and farm business management specialists Tom Hanson and Virgil Dagman will address farm recordkeeping.
The lunch break will feature entertainment by the singing comedy group, "Dixie Cups."
"I think it's going to be a very well-rounded conference for those who have crops and livestock or both," Tescher-Johnston says. "We want to continue to survey the women and see what they want to talk about and put these conferences together for them."
Signing up
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- March 2 and 3: Gladstone Inn and Suites, Jamestown, N.D.
- March 3 and 4: Grand International, Minot, N.D.
The registration fee is $85, which covers materials, sessions and meals. The registration deadline is Feb. 23, after which registration is $100. Spouses who plan to attend the evening meal can register for $35.
Registration: www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject or call the Ward County (N.D.) Extension Service at (701) 857-6444.
