Ag-Ceptional Women's Committee
Ten years ago I was invited to meet with a group of women from northeast Nebraska to discuss the idea of having a one-day conference for women in agriculture. Thanks to the vision of Bonnie Schulz our brainstorming session led to a conference that has been filled to capacity for the last eight years. Our committee has changed but the passion of the women on the committee has not. We have been dedicated to offering quality key note speakers, educational break out sessions as well as very cool swag gifts for each lady attending. Each woman on the committee brings unique gifts that I believe have been the key to the success of the conference. We've spent hours outside of the monthly meeting preparing table decorations, assembling binders, stuffing bags and soliciting sponsors. We've laughed and cried with one another as weddings are held, babies are born and loved ones that have died are mourned. We are truly a committee that seeks to educate, motivate and celebrate women in agriculture!
Our Ag-Ceptional Committee of 2015. I do not know why my mouth is open so far unless my Ag-Ceptional friend, Karen Grant, just poked me!! |
CommonGround
Seven years ago I attended a session to train women in agriculture about having conversations with consumers about how food is raised. CommonGround volunteers are women in agriculture with a passion for sharing a positive story that is personal, credible and very real. The beauty of CommonGround is that we are encouraged to share our own story that is based on lived experiences and facts versus rumor and fear. When I have conversations with consumers I can answer concerns about cattle in the feedlot and using GMO crops. Other volunteers talk about areas of expertise on their farms that include dairy, pork, poultry and organic farming. As volunteers we also learn from one another about the work we do to increase our own understanding of how food is raised. We are blessed with an incredible staff of people that find opportunities for us to engage in conversations with consumers and continually challenge us to grow in our communication skills. I encourage you to meet the women of CommonGround by visiting the national and/or state websites. These women in agriculture would love to reach out to you on Ag Day and every day to connect you to their farms via their stories and your questions. I consider myself very blessed to be a part of the CommonGround family and the impact we are having on helping consumers base their food buying decisions on facts, not fear.
Cattleman's Beef Board
Four years ago I was appointed to the Cattleman's Beef Board. I am one of about one hundred board members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee the collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the U.S. and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. Previous to this appointment I had not been involved in leadership at the state or national level for the beef community. Little did I know that I was about to meet some of the finest women in agriculture. A rancher from Oklahoma, Terry Wyatt, took me under her wing right away and has continued to be a respected mentor and friend. A rancher from Florida, Sarah Childs, has given many laughs over her alligator catching stories. I learned much about co-chairing a meeting by working with rancher Dianne Kirkbride, from Wyoming. I have watched women like Kim Brackett from Idaho and Anne Anderson from Texas lead the board as dedicated chairwomen. Anne is especially dear to me because it was she that asked me to consider running for an officer position. There are many more women that I have met through my time serving on the beef board that I will treasure forever. These women all share a love for the beef community, dedication to continuous improvement and sincerity that builds lasting bonds between friends.
Dianne and I took some time at the convention in San Antonio to meet the vendors and gain some new product insights as well as spend time visiting about our families. |
National Ag Day is a great opportunity to focus on what is really good about agriculture in our country. We have hard working men and women dedicated to raising wholesome food for your family that you can learn more facts about here. The often unrecognized contributions of women to food and fiber production are changing as more young women seek careers in agriculture. As a woman in agriculture I salute my fellow ag women on this National Ag Day!
“She sets her mind on a field, then she buys
it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
She
puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens
her arms to the needy.
Proverbs 31
Thanks to all of the great women of ag! The ag community would be at a loss without you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Daren!
DeleteThanks for celebrating so many amazing and hard working women. You are definitely one among them. God bless all your contributions in the Ag Community.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! You are one in a million yourself! Not only are you an amazing women in agriculture, you are an amazing woman in your faith marriage and family. I am very blessed to have crossed paths with you!
DeleteLooks like an impressive event. I am so glad to read all these details here. At some local meeting space San Francisco our annual business meeting was also organized in last week. The seminar was followed by a Thai themed luncheon. Was just a perfect event.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Wenni. It sounds like you had a very nice event. Have a wonderful day!
DeleteWomen taking part in agriculture and running the main stream things, that’s really a good news.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading my post. I believe women have been the unsung heroes of agriculture for a very long time. Perhaps the strongest leaders are those that know how to be servants first. That has certainly been the case for the best leaders, male or female, that I know! Have a great day!
DeleteNational Ag Day is a great opportunity to focus on what is agriculture in our country. you are an amazing women in agriculture, and am so glad to read your blog.. thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you! I greatly appreciate your compliment and encouragement.
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