By Andi Anderson
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Leadership Conference is set to empower and connect women in agriculture on Dec. 4-5 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, Iowa.
This year’s theme, “Breaking Ground, Seeding Success,” celebrates women’s hard work in agriculture and focuses on leadership, career growth, and current trends in the industry.
The conference opens with a keynote by Lexi Marek Beeler, a well-known advocate for women in agriculture, who will outline three impactful actions for attendees to strengthen their influence. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in specialized campus tours, exploring themes from Victorian-era farm history to regenerative agriculture.
A notable addition to this year’s program is the Red Cross First Aid and Tourniquet Application certification course, offering attendees a valuable skill for personal and professional safety.
Intensive workshops feature strong female leaders as role models. Sessions cover essential skills like mastering mental resilience, effective board leadership, and farm vision-sharing.
These workshops provide practical tools to help women succeed in demanding roles within agriculture. The day will conclude with a networking dinner and social hour, giving attendees a chance to connect and share experiences.
Day two of the conference includes keynote speaker Heather Malenshek, chief marketing officer at Land O’Lakes Inc. Recognized by Forbes as a top influencer, Malenshek will share her journey and passion for helping others achieve their potential.
Attendees will also hear from the 2024 Women Impacting Ag honorees, including Chris Cornelius, Julie Kenney, Wendy Johnson, and Janette Smith, who will share inspiring stories of their contributions to the field.
Breakout sessions on day two cover diverse topics, such as agricultural entrepreneurship, business transitions, emotional marketing connections, and farm management. The luncheon will feature finance leaders Angie Treptow and Karen Rawson, who will discuss insights into the farm economy.
The capstone speaker, April Hemmes, will close the event with reflections on her 40-year career in farming and leadership in agriculture, including her role as a director on the United Soybean Board.
Early bird registration is available until Nov. 22, offering a $20 discount. Regular rates are $140 for adults and $80 for students, with scholarships available. The conference is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education