The Bureau County Farm Bureau encourages all women involved in farming and agriculture to attend the Women in Agriculture Conference that will take place on Friday, March 25 at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel in Rock Island.
This one-day seminar, celebrating its tenth year, has a goal to empower women within agriculture industries. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Jeanne Bernick.
Bernick is an agribusiness consultant and market growth leader for the national business advisory firm. She offers the depth of industry insights and works alongside clients with financial tools that help keep their farms and businesses thriving.
Her presentation ‘How Women Change the World One Farm at a Time’ will focus on how the world is changing for the better as more women are coming back to their agricultural roots.
The keynote address will be followed by a variety of breakout sessions that participants may choose from. The sessions will include a livestock panel, mental health, eating for health, contacting your legislators, everyday videography and photography, and tax planning.
The Conference will wrap up with Dr. Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Kidwell is an Alumna of ACES where she earned a bachelor’s degree in both genetics, development, and agriculture sciences. She received her masters and Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Her presentation, ‘Women Changing Agriculture,’ will highlight how women have served as the heartbeat of agriculture since the beginning of civilization.
The day will also include an exhibit area, with many businesses and organizations offering materials, promotional items, and give-away drawings. There will also be breakfast, luncheon buffet, and mid-day snack break.
The registration cost is $80. Walk-in registrations on the day of the conference are $100. Registration on the day of the conference begins at 8 am.
To pre-register, contact any sponsoring Illinois County Farm Bureaus or register online at womeninagricultureconference.com.
The Conference is sponsored by the Farm Bureau Women in Agriculture Conference Committee.
AGENDA
Opening Session, 8:45 – 9:45 am
How Women Change The World One Farm At A Time, Jeanne Bernick
The world is changing for the better as more women come back to their agricultural roots. We’ll take a tour around the world and back home to learn from women in agriculture, how they impact their communities and what we can learn from their stories. Take home some tips and tricks on leading as a woman working in agriculture, and walk away motivated to pass knowledge to the next generation of women leaders.
Breakout Sessions, 10:00 – 10:50am:
When Stress is More than a Season, Adrienne DeSutter:
Agriculture is one of the most beautiful and rewarding industries…but it’s also one of the most dangerous and stressful. Join this stubborn counselor-turned-farm-wife for a light-hearted chat on recognizing signs of crisis and reaching out to help others. After all, in agriculture, taking care of each other is just what we do!
Issues And Trends In Illinois Livestock, Tasha Bunting:
This session will feature a panel of speakers from each of the major livestock species in Illinois. Presenters will discuss issues and trends in the livestock industry impacting Illinois farmers.
Eating For Health: Nutrition For The Immune System, Lia Nightingale
Our immune system keeps us healthy from microscopic invaders. Many of us underestimate the importance of food and individual nutrients on the intricate workings of our immune cells. In this session, we will learn which nutrients to
include keeping our immunity working optimally.
Mid-Day Session, 11:00am-11:50am:
Personal Finance 101: Take Charge of Your Personal Finances, Paul Stoddard
Learn timely tips and tricks to take charge of your personal, family, and business finances!
Afternoon Session, 1:00-1:30pm:
Planning For The Unplanned, Lorraine Zenge
This session provides an engaging presentation to prepare you, your family and your farming operation if you were suddenly faced with going it alone. Learn simple planning steps to take now to be better informed and prepared for the what-ifs that life can sometimes present.
Breakout Sessions, 1:40-2:30pm:
How to be Impactful and Influential When Talking with your Elected Official, Allie Speer:
Join Allie for a discussion on how to best communicate with your elected officials. Learn how to be most effective in your conversations and leave a lasting impression on your representative.
Everyday Videography & Photography, Jim Polus:
Senior Video Producer Jim Polus has been at Illinois Farm Bureau since 1996. Today he will teach you to look through the viewfinder using the same tips he has been using throughout his career. After graduating from Illinois State University, Jim started directing TV newscasts at WMBD Channel 31 in Peoria, IL. Moving to Milwaukee, he created videos for Marquette University as well as Wisconsin Memorial Park, a cemetery in Brookfield, WI. Jim’s wife Laura is also a video professional as the Director of TV-10 News at Illinois State University. While in Milwaukee, she produced newscasts for WISN-TV Channel 12. Daughter Katie lives in the St. Louis area while her son Jack resides in Indianapolis. Being empty nesters allows Jim to play more golf than ever. Now stand up, stretch, turn on your cellphone light, and give Jim a warm
welcome.
Record Keeping and Tax Planning in the Current Environment, Kate Sturtewagen:
This presentation will address issues to be considered when tax planning and why it is so important to keep accurate records.
Closing Session, 2:30-3:30pm:
Women Changing Agriculture, Kim Kidwell:
Since the beginning of civilization, women have served as the heartbeat of our agricultural systems. This is an important moment for me to say thank you to the female pioneers who created opportunities for women like me to make a
the difference in this industry. Women are the leaders of agricultural advancement in developing countries and are driving efforts to promote food security around the globe. Empowering these women to grow ample nutritious food where they live is an essential key to solving world hunger.
Your Worth Isn’t Measured By The Markets, Adrienne DeSutter:
When it comes to agriculture, we prioritize our time working on the things that need the most care. But even when the chore list is long, YOUR worth is most valuable. Because a healthy farm- and a healthy family- begins with a healthyYOU.
Link for more information or to register for the event:
http://www.womeninagricultureconference.com/