Oklahoma’s Statewide Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference will take place Aug. 7-8 at the Moore-Norman Technology Center.
“The focus of the two-day conference is to assist women and producers to successfully manage risk for their agricultural enterprises or small businesses,” said Damona Doye, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension farm management specialist.
Cost is $50 per participant if registering by Aug. 1 and $60 thereafter. Registration includes two breakfasts, two lunches, all refreshment breaks, conference materials and an optional post-conference training Aug. 8 from 2-5 p.m. on farm transitions and estate planning.
Registration forms and additional information are available at www.okwomeninagandsmallbusiness.com, or by calling the OSU Department of Agricultural Economics at 405-744-9826.
The Moore-Norman Technology Center is located at 13301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
A number of concurrent sessions will be offered during the conference. Sessions will focus on a variety of high-profile topics about agriculture, alternative enterprises and business and finance. Participants will be able to attend sessions of most interest and value to them.
“The conference is a great resource to learn the latest information on topics that empower women to solve issues and concerns of importance to them, their families and communities,” Doye said. “A particular strength of the conference is the ability of participants to personalize their experience.”
Keynote speakers are Jane Jenkins-Herlong, a professional speaker, Amazon “best-selling” author and humorist, and Matt Rush, a fourth-generation farmer and cattle rancher and professional speaker who conducts leadership and motivational seminars.
“Opportunities for informal networking between participants and interaction with conference experts often lead to personal and professional inspiration, ideas and solutions, as do the informational booths and women-owned businesses featured in the mini-mall,” Doye said.
The two-day event is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and numerous sponsors who have helped keep costs low to participants.
Post-conference training features will include the Farm Transition workshop, led by OSU agricultural economists Rodney Jones and Shannon Ferrell. The workshop is for family farmers and ranchers interested in learning about the components of a successful farm transition. The workshop is free for conference participants.
“The Statewide Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference really is the place to be in August,” Doye said. “Think of it as one-stop shopping to build awareness and skills.”
Additional information is available at www.okwomeninagandsmallbusiness.com, or by contacting Doye by e-mail at damona.doye@okstate.edu or Sara Siems, project manager, by email at sara.siems@okstate.edu
