Agricultural News
Women in Ag Conferences Slated
Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:11:41 CDT
Several events targeted to women in agriculture are being jointly planned by Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) for November.
Each conference will offer a variety of sessions, with topics ranging from insurance products to contracts and leases to marketing strategies. Participants will be engaged in improving skills to manage their business risks, said Damona Doye, OSU Cooperative Extension farm management specialist.
"The one-day conferences will provide the latest information on topics that empower women to solve issues and concerns of importance to them, their families and communities," said Doye. "Each conference is tailored to agricultural interests in the local community."
FSA speakers will be on hand to discuss a claims process for Hispanic and women farmers to settle discrimination charges. Eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers have a chance of receiving a piece of the minimum $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, set aside by the USDA for those who were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans from 1981 to 2000.
"The conferences are not only a good time to learn about the claims process, but to network with other participants and interact with conference experts." said Jen Jensen, OSU Extension assistant, risk management education. "In addition, the events offer education on alternative agriculture production enterprises and USDA programs."
Topics for the meeting will include: Pasture Poultry Production, Hair Sheep Production, Small Fruit Production, Farm Marketing using Social Media, Getting Products from the Farm to the Shelf, Land Owner Legal Rights Concerning Energy Exploration and Navigating USDA programs.
"This meeting will be beneficial for all producers with an interest in alternative agriculture enterprises and thosewanting to learn more about how to market and sell their agricultural products," Jensen said.
All events are free and consist of a variety of topics targeted to local interests. The conferences will take place at different locations throughout the state, including:
Nov. 1 - Texoma Area Women in Ag Conference, 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Clay Jones Community Center Building, Bryan County Fairgrounds at 1901 South 9th Ave. in Durant. RSVP to Kevin Dale at 580-924-4131 ext. 2 or by email at kevin.dale@ok.usda.gov by Oct 29.
Nov. 5 - Southeast Oklahoma Women and Hispanic Ag Conference, 6:30 p.m., Choctaw Family Investment Center, Poteau Industrial Park at 100 Kerr Ave. in Poteau. RSVP to Lisa Grey at 918-647-3554 ext. 3 or by email at lisa.grey@ok.nacdnet.net by Nov. 1.
Nov. 14 - Beaver County Women in Ag Conference, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Beaver County Fairgrounds at 1107 Douglas in Beaver. RSVP to Sandra Cooper at 580-625-3464 or by email at sandra.cooper@okstate.edu by Nov. 7.
Nov. 16 - South Central Women in Ag Conference, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Murray County Fairgrounds at 4000 West Highway 7 in Sulphur. RSVP to Carl Oblander at 580-662-3013 or byemail at jj.jones@okstate.edu by Nov. 9.
Nov. 17 - The 14th Annual Small Farmers Conference, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hargrave Community Center at 123 Mekusukey in Wewoka. RSVP to Willard Tillman at 405-201-6624 or by email at wtillman2@cox.net by Nov. 9.
"These conferences are not just for women," Jensen said. "Any producers or small business owners who are interested in the topics listed are encouraged to attend."
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