News Detail
Iowa Women in Ag conference set for July 30
6/18/2009 7:48:25 AM
Women with any connection to agriculture will benefit by attending the Third Annual Iowa Women in Ag (IWIA) Conference at the BioFuture Conference Center, Monsanto's Research Facility near Huxley, on July 30.
The conference, "Keeping Up with Changing Times," will offer valuable information to improve decision-making skills related to the farming business.
The day will feature keynote speaker Carol Roth, who will make a presentation entitled "Embracing Change."
Roth speaks from practical experience gained as a farmer, wife, mother, community organizer/volunteer, educator, church member and business entrepreneur. Most recently she has been part of developing two new businesses. Roth House Bed and Breakfast provides a unique lodging experience, as well as a perfect place for intimate parties, retreats and other celebrations. Starfish Consulting, Inc. provides a variety of services from grant writing, program evaluation and strategic planning to graphic recording. Both businesses are based in Soldiers Grove, a small rural Wisconsin town.
"Change allows us the choice to move in different directions in our lives," Roth stated.
In the keynote, she will share her experiences through personal stories that will resonate with all ag women. Roth's keynote will challenge conference participants to embrace the changes in their lives.
As part of Roth's keynote, a graphic recorder will simultaneously document her thoughts during the presentation. By doing so, the artist helps participants "see" the event unfold by creating a canvas that captures the essence of the keynote. As a result, an atmosphere of life, creativity and excitement emerge.
In addition to breakout sessions on topics ranging from cash rent and leases to marketing grain, from soil data to sustainability, along with a visit to BioFuture's test plots and its Circle of Science, the day will provide an opportunity to network and create friendships with other women actively involved in today's agricultural industry.
Registration cost before July 15 is $59; after that, it's $75. A registration discount is available by becoming a friend of IWIA. A $50 friend saves 25 percent on registration fees and a $100 friend saves 50 percent.
A block of rooms is reserved for July 29 at Country Inn in Ankeny. For reservations, call direct (515) 965-2646 and ask for the Iowa Women in Ag room block. The room block will be released July 6.
Sponsors for the event are Monsanto/ChannelBio, Farm Credit Services, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, Iowa Farm Bureau Financial Services, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Pioneer, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Stine Seed, Successful Farmer, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Iowa Soybean Association.
For more information and registration details, visit www.iowawomeninag.org or contact Elaine Gaesser at 641/333-2595 (home) or 641/344-2367 (cell).
