January 19, 2007

Australian Outback comes to Women In Agriculture Conference

Chaney, an agricultural journalist, and her husband, Lee, a nationally recognized dairy farmer, found themselves growing tired of the everyday routine of life. That's when the two of them decided to sell their animals, pack up some of their belongings and head to Australia.

"Both of us were feeling really overwhelmed with our careers so we decided it was time for a drastic life change," Chaney said.

On Feb. 7-8, Chaney will make her way to Conner Prairie in Fishers, Ind., to present "Dare to Risk Life Change" as part of the 2007 Midwest Women In Agriculture Conference.

During her time in Australia, Chaney worked alongside her husband on a million-acre cattle ranch.

"When we made this decision, I had no idea it would turn out the way it did," she said. "We lived in an aboriginal hut, we had to shoe our own horses and light fires just to have a hot shower, and the nearest town was two hours away."

What Chaney also didn't know is how this experience would change her outlook on life.

"I went from hating life in the Australian Outback to loving it," she said. "Before we went to Australia, we had decided we weren't going to have children, but it is because of this life change that we now have a family. Our relationship with one another grew stronger and so did our faith."

Chaney is now an author, mother and farm wife, and she spends some of her time promoting her book, "Bulldust In My Bra – An American Couple's Working Season in the Outback," through inspirational speaking engagements around the country.

The Midwest Women In Agriculture Conference will feature Chaney and author Jane Jenkins Herlong as keynote speakers. There also will be 24 breakout sessions to teach farm women about ways to improve their agricultural operations.

"Both of our keynote speakers relate very well to the women who attend the conference," said Kelly Easterday, a Purdue University Extension educator and one of the conference coordinators. "Both presentations will be very upbeat and full of humor, while also inspiring women to make life changes."

Conference registration is $75 by Jan. 24, which includes conference attendance and proceedings, three meals and snacks.

More information is available on the conference Web site at https://www.ces.purdue.edu/wia/ or by contacting conference chair Stacy Herr at (765) 973-9281, sherr@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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