Early deadline nears for Women in Ag Conference

Nov. 5 is the early registration deadline for the Women in Agriculture Conference.

Alaska's women farmers will join other farmers from Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington Nov. 18 for the sixth annual videoconference event. It will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 40 locations, including sites at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Palmer and in Delta Junction.

"We can do it!" is the theme. Washington State University, which is coordinating the conference, says it is for women farmers and anyone who works with women farmers. Agriculture students and FFA and 4-H members are also invited. Organizers describe it as an "engaging, interactive day full of inspiration, learning and networking with other women farmers."

Guest speakers will include Alexis Taylor, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Anne Schwartz, the owner of Blue Heron Farm in western Washington. Speakers will challenge participants to strengthen their leadership skills, become leaders in their communities, get more involved with longtime farmers and mentor new farmers. Each location will have a panel of local women farmers who will talk about the challenges they have faced and how they have used a mentor to develop skills.

The School of Natural Resources and Extension will host the event in Room 107 of the Murie Building on campus and, in conjunction with Alaska Farmland Trust, at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center in Palmer. The Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District will host the event at the Delta Career Advancement Center in Delta Junction. Site coordinators are Meriam Karlsson at UAF, Susanna Pearlstein and Amy Pettit in Palmer and Bryce Wrigley in Delta Junction.

Early registration by Nov. 5 is $25 or $30 after that date. Agriculture students, farm interns, and FFA and 4-H youth members may register for $20. The registration fee includes a light breakfast, lunch and conference materials. See more details and online registration at www.WomenInAg.wsu.edu.

For more information about the UAF site, contact Meriam Karlsson at 907-474-7005 or mgkarlsson@alaska.edu; Susanna Pearlstein at the Matanuska Experiment Farm at 907-746-9466 or spearlstein@alaska.edu; or Bryce Wrigley in Delta Junction at 907-895-6279 or Bryce.wrigley@salchadeltaswcd.org.