Women in Agriculture to gather at Conner Prairie in 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Midwestern women with careers in agriculture will have an opportunity to network and gain information to help improve their operations on Feb. 7-8 during the 2007 Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference.The conference, which will take place at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Ind., will feature two keynote speakers and 24 breakout sessions in which participants will hear about new ideas and strategies for making their operations more successful.
"Women learn differently than men, and many of them feel more comfortable in a learning environment where they are surrounded by other women," said Purdue University Extension Educator Kelly Easterday. "Because many women are now viable agricultural business partners and some are even sole proprietors, they needed an environment where they can feel comfortable learning and asking questions."
In addition to providing a friendly learning environment, the conference will give farm women the opportunity to meet others living similar lifestyles.
"After past conferences, we've had lots of women tell us they left feeling more positive and upbeat about their careers," Easterday said. "Many of them leave realizing 'I'm not the only one out there.'"
Throughout the two-day conference, sessions and speakers will offer ideas on how to improve the economic and emotional well-being of participants' families and businesses.
"We hope that each of the women will come away with new ideas they can apply to their operation, business or job," Easterday said. "Because the conference is in February, it is early in the decision-making process. That way some of the ideas can be applied immediately, and others will be more long term."
Registration for the conference is $75 before Jan. 24. More information is available on the Women in Agriculture Web site online or by contacting Easterday at (574) 372-2340, keasterday@purdue.edu.
Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-6682, jsstewar@purdue.edu
Source: Kelly Easterday, (574) 372-2340, keasterday@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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