03/15/07 Women & Agriculture Conference

Washington Ag March 15, 2007 The 3rd Annual Statewide Women & Agriculture Conference, Cultivating Our Reality, will be held next week on March 23th & 24th in East Wenatchee, Washington. The conference is being conducted by Washington State University Extension to give women the tools and information they need to help their family farm operations and agribusinesses succeed. The conference begins with a social and networking event on Friday evening followed by a full-day of featured speakers and workshop sessions on Saturday. Jane Eckert, a nationally known speaker from the St. Louis area, will speak on "Agritourism: A Reality That Grows on You! and "Making Money Without Going Off Farm." In addition, there will be ten morning and afternoon breakout sessions on topics including biotechnology, direct marketing, the farm bill, food liability, living life in balance, adding value to what you grow, farm labor issues, and working with your lender. Valoria Loveland, Washington State Director of Agriculture has been invited to present the closing session. The conference is open to the public. Those planning to attend need to register by March 16. The cost is $20.00, lunch and snacks included. Registration fees postmarked after March 16 are $30. For more information, contact WSU Extension at 509-745-8531. I'm Bob Hoff.