Women in Ag coming together to cultivate confidence and harvest happiness

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Leadership Conference takes place at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. The two-day event begins Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 11:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. and continues from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

This year’s theme, “Breaking Ground, Seeding Success,” reflects the hard work women put into their agricultural careers and the rewards they achieve. The conference focuses on career advancement, leadership development and trending topics in agriculture.

A special feature of the conference this year is the option to take part in a Red Cross First Aid and Life-Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application certification course.

On Wednesday, the popular campus tours will be back. Attendees can choose from one of five tours highlighting everything from a Victorian-era Christmas at the Farm House Museum to Regenerative Agriculture at the Bioeconomy Institute.

As the conference opening speaker, Iowa’s homegrown advocate for women in agriculture, Lexi Marek Beeler, will discuss three actions all women can implement to make an impact.

Intensive workshops feature strong women who are leaders and role models. Mastering mental strength to thrive under pressure, leading effectively on the board, and managing land and sharing a vision for the farm are key skills they’ll help attendees build. The day ends with a relaxed dinner, networking and a social hour.

On Thursday, the conference will feature keynote speaker Heather Malenshek of Land O’ Lakes Inc. Forbes named Malenshek as one of the country’s most influential chief marketing officers. She has a passion for helping others achieve their true potential.

The 2024 Women Impacting Ag honorees Chris Cornelius, Julie Kenney, Wendy Johnson and Janette Smith will share their stories. The luncheon panel will feature Angie Treptow and Karen Rawson, leaders in finance and lending, who will share their stories and discuss the farm economy.

The breakout sessions offer topics such as agricultural entrepreneurship, family business transitions, better conversations, the emotional connection of marketing, leading as communicators and growing into farm management roles.

The capstone speaker is April Hemmes. Her passion for agriculture is at the core of who she is. Throughout her 40-year career in farming, she has taken on leadership roles from supporting the local FFA chapter to becoming a director on the United Soybean Board.

Early bird registration is available through Nov. 22 and saves $20. Regular registration is $140 for adults and $80 for students. Scholarships may be requested. Register online at www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag. Farm Credit Services of America is a major sponsor.

The ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Program improves the quality of life in Iowa by providing research-based educational programs to expand agricultural enterprise, improve natural resource management and support the community of women in agriculture. Visit www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag to learn more about our programs.