
Join us for the 2024 Ag Women Engage Conference at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN!
February 22, 2024
REgistration Check-In STarts 8:30 a.m Eastern
Program 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Grand wayne Convention Center
120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Conference Fee: $100
Register Here
Registration ends on February 13, 2024.
The Purdue Women in Agriculture Team is excited to offer this annual event designed to educate and uplift women involved in any aspect of the agricultural industry. Through pre-conference workshops, a keynote speaker, and breakout presentations, attendees will learn how to better manage risk, enhance their farms and agribusiness operations, and network with other ag women throughout Indiana.
Keynote Presentation

"Plant & Prune The Family Ag Business To Reap A Bountiful Harvest"
Navigating Dynamics of Multi-Generational Family Agricultural Businesses
Presented by Amanda Radke,
Fifth Generation Rancher and Author
2024 Ag Women Engage Conference participants will have the option to participate in four breakout sessions throughout the day which focus on the various areas of risk management. Descriptions of the breakout sessions can be found below. Participants will be asked to select their breakout sessions during the registration process.
Breakout Session #1 Options
Can you identify potential toxic plants in a pasture? How can one reduce sickness and death when livestock are on pasture? This interactive session presented by Forage Enthusiasts will give some pointers so livestock can be healthy when grazing occurs.
Presented by Keith D. Johnson, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist & Michele Jones, Purdue Extension Educator
Join in on an interactive breakout session where we will dive into how you can use your voice to advocate for agriculture. No one is an expert in this field – we all have a thing or two to learn and improve upon. But through simple steps, each and every one of us can work to amplify our voices to better the future of agriculture for generations to come. Agriculture is the single only industry that touches every single human being on the planet through food, fuel, and fiber, so we must continue to AMPLIFY our voices to show the industry’s importance and impact on everyone.
Presented by Rachel Hyde, Field Sales Marketing Coordinator at Beck’s Hybrids, a Farm Bureau Member, & a 7th Generation Farmer
We can all pretty much identify with stress on some level. Knowing we are stressed is not always the main issue. Knowing how to handle everyday stress can oftentimes be extremely frustrating and overwhelming. You might think, “I don’t have time for therapy, I don’t have time to search for ways to combat stress because that stresses me out, I do not know where to start, and/or please someone just give me something practical I can do without having to put too much thought into it. This program will offer everyday steps you can take to reduce stress such as the food you eat, what you expose yourself to on social media, and things you can do during your work day no matter if you are at a desk, out in the field, or driving your car. Learning practical and easy techniques can not only help you during your day but can also help you implement coping strategies in your family.
Presented by Angela Sorg, Purdue Extension Educator, and Purdue Farm Stress Team member.
Presented by Nathan Selking, Agent with Williamson Crop Insurance
Breakout Session #2 Options
During this hands-on session, individuals will put their pens to work as they develop a written land lease agreement based on a case study. They will learn about current land lease trends and key points to keep in mind when negotiating a land lease for their farming operation.
Presented by Jenna Nees, Purdue Extension Educator and Purdue Land Lease Team member
Purdue Extension Educators participated in the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Trinidad and Tobago in March 2023. The purpose of the F2F program is to generate sustained economic growth and international development in the agricultural sector. The assignments that Abigail and Molly taught to farmers were on making flour from root vegetables, food preservation and food product development. Numerous root vegetables are grown in the Caribbean Islands, due to their resistance to drought, pest, and disease; and therefore, provide a significant source of nutrition to the people. Root vegetable flour allows them to make a variety of gluten free baked goods and preserve the root vegetables during their peak season, by dehydrating and making it into flour for later use. Learning to properly and safely preserve and extend the shelf-life of nutritious crops provides a means of sustainability, especially during off-peak season.
Presented by Abigail Creigh, Purdue Extension Educator and Molly Hoag, Purdue Extension Educator
During this presentation, participants will learn about the basic mechanics of grain marketing. They will learn what creates market movement, key items to watch for when making marketing decisions, and gain ideas on how to take advantage of potential marketing opportunities.
Presented by Ginny Nobbe, Grain Merchandiser for Falmouth Farm Supply, INC
Indiana is considered a state with many rural counties. Essentially, 42 of the 92 counties in Indiana are considered rural with a county population under 40,000; population density less than 100 people per square mile; and the population of the largest city in the county less than 10,000. Although many believe that rural counties don't face the same crime issues as urban areas, they do. Join an Indiana State Police Officer during this session as he helps you learn to identify Indiana gangs and understand their activity.
Presented by Chris Everhart, Indiana State Police
Breakout Session #3 Options
Presented by Ben Wicker, Executive Director of Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance
Presented by Dr. Brady Brewer, Associate Professor, Department Of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
Presented by Bridgette Wanhainen, FSA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator
Presented by Dr. Kristine Marceau, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Science
Breakout Session #4 Options
With climate changing at such a rapid pace, how can one keep up with all the information and apply that to decisions that may reduce risk? This presentation will review what we know about the rate of climate change and its uncertainty regarding agricultural production in the Midwest. Free resources will be shared to continually monitor and assess risks pertaining to climate that may enhance decisions for the future.
Presented by Dr. Beth Hall, Director of Indiana State Climate Office
This program will discuss recommended practices for hiring and managing farm labor, including writing a job description, interviewing, legal and financial issues, communication and evaluations, and conflict resolutions. Participants will leave this session with resources and publications that go further in-depth on a variety of human resource related issues.
Presented by Bill Horan, Purdue Extension Educator
Presented by Susan Hobeck, Financial Manager of Stoy Farms
Panel Members include Brett Stephan and Veronica Bullock
Wednesday Night Networking
Do you hope to inspire the next generation of ag leaders? If so, consider joining the Young Ladies in Ag Forum participants and the Purdue Women in Ag Team for dinner, networking, and friendship on Wednesday evening. This is a great opportunity to help inspire and share your experiences within the ag industry with the youth passionate about the future of the agriculture industry. Cost is $25. Please indicate on your registration if you will be joining us for this networking event.
2024 Pre-Conference Sessions
The Purdue Women in Ag Team is enthused to be offering two pre-conference sessions on February 21, 2024 before the Ag Women Engage Conference. These sessions will be held at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN.
Information about each individual pre-conference session can be found below. When registering for the Ag Women Engage Conference, you will have the option to register for a pre-conference session. The pre-conference sessions are open to individuals not registered for the conference.
Are you a farm family looking for a better way to keep your farm records?
Are you interested in learning more about computerized record keeping for the farm, but unsure if this is the right decision for you?
Are you currently utilizing Quicken®, but don't feel like you are utilizing it to the fullest?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then consider signing up for the Farm Accounting Workshop with Quicken®. Workshop participants will use example farm data to learn how to set up accounts, categorize income and expenses, run tax reports, explore recording farm production data, track income/expenses across tax years, and cash flows by enterprise.
This hands-on workshop uses an Ohio State University Computer Lab with Quicken®software installed. Program presented by Bruce Clevenger, Farm Management Field Specialist with Ohio State University Department of Extension.
Date/Time: Feb. 21, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne, IN
Cost: $75 with Ag Women Engage Conference Registration
$100 without Ag Women Engage Conference Registration
**This pre-conference session is limited to only 10 participants.
Developing and implementing a succession plan can be a difficult task. Oftentimes, producers are left wondering where they should start when they should start, and how can we do this with minimal conflict.
In this day-long workshop, you'll learn about transferring the management of the farm, developing a financial roadmap for succession planning, dealing with conflicts, and hear from Polly Dobbs, Dobbs & Folz, LLC. Polly will be discussing common pitfalls, tools to overcome the pitfalls, buy-sell
agreements, and the upcoming tax changes that could affect your strategy.
Participants will be invited to meet with members of the Purdue Succession Planning Team following the educational workshop.
Date/Time: Feb. 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne, IN
Cost: $50 with Ag Women Engage Conference Registration
$60 without Ag Women Engage Conference Registration
Hotel Information
Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center
1020 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone #: 260-420-1100
Reservation Link Here
Hotel rate is $149 per night
Reserve your room by January 30, 2024.
Questions or Concerns?
For questions concerning the Ag Women Engage Conference or any of the activities associated with the conference, please contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411.
Email Jenna Here