January 19, 2005
Women in ag event focuses on communication, farming
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The fourth annual Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference, sponsored by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, features a new location, three keynote speakers and a host of sessions that tackle questions about farming, families and how to blend the two.
The new location is in the middle of northern Indiana's Amish country.
"There's a lot more to do at this site. It's a nice facility with stores and tourist attractions in addition to the conference, and we think that people will want to see another part of northern Indiana," said Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross, a Purdue Extension educator and conference organizer.
The two-day event is scheduled for March 15-16 at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center in Middlebury, Ind. The conference is designed to support women in their roles on the farm and in their families.
"For the second year in a row Bernie Erven, a professor of agricultural economics at Ohio State University, will be one of our keynote speakers," Lienhart-Cross said. "He's coming back by popular request from participants. The women really wanted to hear more of what he was saying."
In his presentations on family business, Erven will discuss how to remove barriers to communication and guidelines for building relationships.
Erven, Chris Fesko, an award-winning educator, farmer, videographer and producer, and Don Tyler, author and communication consultant, also will take the stage as keynote speakers.
Fesko will focus on farmwomen as a total package. She will talk about recognizing and promoting self-worth and common issues of farmwomen. Tyler's presentation will focus on how to apply information from the conference to everyday life.
In addition to the keynote addresses, the conference offers additional sessions. This year's topics include:
• Agri-marketing
• Spousal communication strategies
• Reputation building
• Methamphetamine issues and farming
• Economic impact of China and global markets
• Legal aspects of farm management
• Agritourism
• Landscaping
• Being a respected woman in a man's world
• Positive ways to promote your business
Additional information about sessions and keynote addresses is available online.
On March 14, the conference also will feature an evening program about Amish culture.
"Because we were hosting the event in an Amish area, we thought we'd try to provide our participants some insight into their culture," Lienhart-Cross said. "Specifically, participants can learn about how Amish women work within the ag field and how some of them have been entrepreneurs."
Individuals can register for one or both days. Early registration rates are $65 for one day or $75 for both days. After Feb. 18, rates increase to $100 per day or $125 for both days. Registrations received after Feb. 25 are not guaranteed a meal. Participants must make their own hotel reservations, which are available at Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center by calling (574) 825-9447. Conference room rates expire after Feb. 1.
Registration brochures are available online or from Purdue Extension offices throughout Indiana.
Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu
Source: Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross, (574) 533-0554, lienhart@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Note to Journalists: Complimentary media registrations are available through the Purdue Extension office in Elkhart County. Call (574) 533-0554 to register.
To the News Service home page