WSU conference brings women in agriculture together

Women in Washington, Oregon and Idaho will gain practical advice for improving farm management skills and networking with other women producers at the 2014 Women in Agriculture Conference to be held at 28 locations on Saturday, March 15.

The conference is designed for women who have been farming for years as well as for new and aspiring farmers.

The keynote address will be broadcast to all 28-conference locations, and each location will feature three local women producers who will share their experiences. Among the locations is the Spokane conference, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

For more information, contact Diane Roberts at the WSU Extension office by emailing [email protected], or call Pat Munts at 509-477-2173.

This year’s event, “Change Happens: Make It An Opportunity,” will cover topics including farm business decision-making, using financial records to improve the bottom line and problem solving for change.

This year’s keynote speaker, Heather Darby, is a seventh-generation owner of the 200-year-old Darby Farm in the Lake Champlain Islands near Alburgh, Vt.

Darby will discuss how change has been a constant in her operation and has presented her with opportunities related to financial issues, organizational management, employees, starting a family and handling risk management issues related to weather, prices and work-life balance.

The registration fee is $25 before March 1 and $30 after.

Registration includes the workshop, light breakfast, lunch, handouts and a book.

To learn more and register, visit http://www.womeninag.wsu.edu.