Women in Agriculture conference coming to town
September 25, 2017
The sixth annual Women in Agriculture Conference, sponsored by Washington State University Extension, is returning to the Northwest on November 18, and Bonners Ferry is one of its stops.

The one-day event will be held simultaneously at 39 locations throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska.

“We Can Do It” is this year’s theme, and organizers promise an engaging, interactive day full of inspiration, learning and networking with other women farmers.

The conference offers inspiration, knowledge and networking to empower women in agriculture to achieve goals and manage risk.

Speakers Alexis Taylor, Oregon Department of Agriculture director, and Anne Schwartz, owner of Blue Heron Farm, will inspire participants to strengthen their leadership skills, become leaders in their communities, become more involved with long-time farmers and guide and mentor new farmers.

Each event location will have a panel of local women farmers who will talk about their leadership roles, the challenges they have faced and how they have used a mentor to develop their skills. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact.

Wendy Knopp and Michael Stolp of Northwest Farm Credit Services are returning with their enlightening and entertaining presentations on using behavioral assessment and communication style to manage, motivate and influence people.

They will also help participants analyze their operations to adapt their behavior using case studies to illustrate the strategy.

Shelly Boshart Davis, a Tangent, Oregon, farmer and president of the U.S. Forage Export Council, will talk about successful communication approaches to improve business strategies, motivate employees, work with family members and increase sales.

Last year’s conference drew more than 600 women in 27 locations.

The event will be held in the following cities: Idaho: Bonners Ferry, Caldwell, McCall, Salmon, Sandpoint and Twin Falls.

Washington: Bremerton, Chehalis, Colville, Coupeville, Des Moines, Elma, Everett, Goldendale, Mount Vernon, Nespelem, Olympia, Pasco, Port Angeles, Pullman, Raymond, Republic, Ritzville, Spokane, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima.

Oregon: La Grande, Redmond, Roseburg, Salem and The Dalles.

Montana: Broadus, Great Falls and Missoula.

Alaska: Delta Junction, Fairbanks and Palmer.

Cost is $25 before November 4, and includes lunch and refreshments. Scholarships are available for college agriculture students and 4-H and FFA members.

For more details and to register, visit: www.womeninag.wsu.edu.