Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Upcoming Events - Conference to Focus on Midwestern Farm Women

The annual Midwest Women in Agriculture conference should help attendees develop new ideas and perspectives on agriculture to take home to their communities.

The conference will be Feb. 29 to March 1 at the Shipshewana Town Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, Ind.

"We have returning speakers from last year's conference along with new, exciting speakers that should make for a fun time," said Purdue University Extension educator Elysia Berry, a conference organizer. "Attendees vary from those in agricultural professions to those who have been involved in farming their whole lives, to those just getting started, and there is much to learn for all."

One of this year's keynote speeches is aimed toward women who are searching for living their legacies. In her speech "Bury Me With My Pearls," professional speaker Jane Herlog uses a pearl analogy - cultured, uncultured and the power of the seed pearls - to empower women to handle business and personal challenges with grace and humor.

The other keynote speaker, Pam Boocher, senior marketing associate from Elanco, will explore the benefits of modern, efficient technology used in food production in her speech "What Consumers Want: Technology Fighting for a Change to Feed the World."

Other topics covered at the conference will include farm marketing, estate basics, grain bin safety, depression in women and couponing.

The conference fee is $80 for one day or $90 for both if registered before Feb. 15. After Feb. 15, the cost is $115 for one day or $140 for both days. The fee includes lunch on both days and dinner the first evening. Lodging is not included in the registration fee.

There will be a hotel room block available for conference attendees at Amish Country Inn, 800 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, 260-765-7688. To receive the conference rate, reservations must be made by Feb. 15.

To register or for more information, visit the Purdue University Women in Agriculture website.

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