Women in Agriculture Conference to provide unique educational opportunity
Women involved in agriculture and agribusinesses in Virginia will have an opportunity to showcase their experiences, network with peers, and learn about innovations, challenges, and best practices in agriculture at the 2007 Women in Agriculture Conference on Thursday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference, will be held at the Best Western Inn and Conference Center in Waynesboro, Va., and will feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest to farmers, landowners, and agribusiness owners.
This year’s conference, titled “Cultivating Community through Education and Communication: Promoting Women’s Success in Agriculture,” focuses on the opportunities, trends, and experiences of women in agriculture. Afternoon breakout sessions include useful information and advice on topics such as livestock, entrepreneurship, agritourism, and alternative energy.
“This type of conference goes well with our goal to strengthen Virginia agriculture,” said Cynthia Marston, conference coordinator and program leader for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Northwest District. “We do this by educating and empowering farm women in Virginia, showing them what resources we have available in the commonwealth so that they can be stronger, well-informed agricultural producers.”
To pre-register for the conference, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension Northwest District Office at (540) 432-6029 by Friday, March 30. A $30 registration fee, which includes lunch, will be charged on the day of the event. The fee for walks-ins who have not pre-registered will be $50 at the door. Space is limited to the first 200 attendees.
Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension are sponsoring this event in partnership with Colonial Farm Credit, Cooperative Living Magazine, Farm Credit of the Virginias, Frederick County Farm Bureau, Southern States Cooperative, Virginia Sheep Industries Board, Virginia Sheep Producers Association, and other key partners and agencies.
Directions to the Best Western Inn and Conference Center: Take Interstate-64 to exit 94 for U.S. 340 (to Waynesboro/Stuarts Draft) and then turn right at U.S. 340-N. Continue approximately 0.3 miles and bear right at Rosser Avenue. Turn left onto Red Top Orchard Road. The conference center is on Appletree Lane.
For more information, contact Cynthia Marston at (540) 432-6029.
About Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Cooperative Extension brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the people of the commonwealth. Through a system of on-campus specialists and locally based agents, it delivers education in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community viability, and 4-H youth development. With a network of faculty at two universities, 107 county and city offices, 13 agricultural research and extension centers, and six 4-H educational centers, Virginia Cooperative Extension provides solutions to the problems facing Virginians today.
