Register Today for the 11th annual Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference

Iowa Women in Agriculture invite you to join us for the 11th annual Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on August 1. The 2017 Conference will deliver a full menu of decision-making ingredients for success in today's difficult economic climate: the latest outlook for ag trade, marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management tactics, transition and estate-planning tips, and ideas for generating new income and adding value. Our keynote speakers will highlight the unique challenges of women's roles, offer opportunities to laugh and learn, and to celebrate agriculture. The one-day Conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Krysta Harden, former USDA deputy secretary and current vice-president of public policy and chief sustainability officer for DuPont-Pioneer, will open the conference with a video message highlighting the ag outlook for 2018. Harden also will share her experiences as an ag leader, and encourage women to pursue active roles in agricultural associations and agribusinesses. Keynote speaker Ambassador Darci Vetter, a strategic consultant on international trade, food and agriculture issues and former chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, will address the ag trade outlook, and share her insights on the intersections between the current trade agenda, and the proposed budget and policy priorities regarding rural development and farm programs. Elaine Kub, author of Mastering the Grain Markets: How Profits Are Really Made, DTN analyst, and frequent guest on Iowa Public Television's Market-to-Market, will tackle the challenges of today's markets. Angie Treptow, regional vice-president, Farm Credit Services of America will wrap up the morning sessions with a deep dive into lender expectations for 2018.  Luncheon keynoter Natalina Sents, an Iowa native, will share her amazing experiences and observations gleaned from meeting farmers during her recently-completed 50-state Why I Farm Road Trip tour. The afternoon's choice of breakout sessions and presenters features:  Top 10 Estate and Transition Planning Mistakes; Melissa O'Rourke, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach agribusiness specialist Harvesting Health & Happiness; Dr. Tina Chasek, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Counseling and School Psychology, University of Nebraska at Kearney Generating New Income/Adding Value; Grazing Cover Crops, Meghan Filbert, livestock coordinator, Practical Farmers of Iowa and Hampton, Iowa, farmer Margaret Smith; Hydroponic Farming, Mike Phelan, Beaver Creek Produce, Berkley, Iowa. The Conference will conclude with capstone speaker Amanda Freund, a Connecticut farmer and ag advocate, who will wrap up the Conference with a message: Connected Across the Generations: Women in Agriculture.  Participants also will have a unique pre-conference opportunity to attend a Water-Quality& Beef Production/Pollinator Habitat Tour on Monday, July 31, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Agriculture Program. The motor coach tour, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. will feature a visit to the Bill and Nancy Couser beef cattle operation near Nevada, followed by a stop at Reiman Gardens in Ames to focus on pollinator habitats and a tour of Reiman Gardens. The tour begins at the Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny, 2405 SE Creekview Dr., Ankeny, Iowa. A Wine and Cheese Welcome & Networking Reception will be held on Monday, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny. Californian Ruth Rabinowitz, Rabinowitz Family Farms, will share the story of her journey of learning how to manage her family's 10 Iowa farms in six different counties. She'll detail the steps she's taken to master the challenges of understanding farm programs and initiating critical conservation management methods. Registration for the conference is $50 until July 22, and $70 after that date. Registration includes the pre-conference tour, evening welcome reception, continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Register online, or from 7:15 a.m.-8:00 a.m. on the day of the conference. Early bird registration is required for those attending the Pre-Conference Tour. For questions about the tour, contact Madeline Schultz at 515-294-0588. All early-bird paid Conference registrants are eligible to win a FREE mini i-pad. (Sorry, but no registration refunds will be possible. ) The premier sponsor of the 2017 Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference is Farm Credit Services of America. Other key sponsors include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Women in Agriculture Program, Iowa Bankers Association, K-Coe Isom, Iowa Soybean Association, and Iowa Cattlemen's Association. For more Conference information, contact IWIA president Cheryl Tevis at 515-353-4425 or visit our IWIA web site www.iowawomeninag.org for a full Conference agenda and registration details. -30-