Ag Women Engage Conference

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 Elysia Rodgers, Purdue Extension Educator & 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.

Crop insurance can be a great risk management tool to help your farming operation overcome issues that may be out of your control. However, there are important dates you need to be aware of and terms that may frustrate or confuse you as decide whether or not this risk management tool is for your.  This session will help highlight the value of crop and livestock insurance while providing you with an understanding of the important dates and terms you need to know. 

Presented by Nathan Selking, Agent with Williamson Crop Insurance

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

In 2023, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program to develop a soil sampling program.  This program focuses on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit on-farm operations.  This session will discuss this new program and the cover crop cost share program that your farming operation may want to sign up for in the near future. 

Presented by Ben Wicker, Executive Director of Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance

During this session, participants will be encouraged to contemplate the future of agriculture. Join the host of the Purdue Commercial AgCast as he delves into insights about the prospective landscape of agriculture. Get ready to explore valuable information on the outlook for agriculture and engage in discussions about how these developments might impact individuals locally. This session promises to be an enlightening journey into the evolving world of agriculture and its implications for our community  

Presented by Dr. Brady Brewer, Associate Professor, Department Of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University

You need financing but where can you get it? Take an in-depth look at FSA Farm Loans. In this interactive session we will cover the fine details of loan conditions, restrictions, and processing while catering to the interests of the group. Come and see if FSA may be right for you!

Presented by Bridgette Wanhainen, FSA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator

In this talk, participants will be provided current information about how the opioid epidemic is affecting rural communities, as well as prevention strategies things families can do to be resilient in the face of this crisis.

Presented by Dr. Kristine Marceau, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Science

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

Your financial records can help lead you to the path of success.  This presentation will center around the three main financial reports you need to understand and where the information comes from.

Presented by Susan Hobeck, Financial Manager of Stoy Farms

Succession planning takes on a unique form for every farming operation. Listening to narratives of triumphs, challenges, and recommendations can serve as a reassuring means to alleviate the stress associated with initiating the succession planning process. In this engaging session, we encourage you to pose questions to our panelists regarding their approaches to succession planning. Our panel is comprised of individuals with diverse experiences with implementing their family's plan.