Ag Women Engage Conference
Everyone is invited to Join us for the 2025 Ag Women Engage Conference at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN!
February 13, 2025
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
Price $135
Registration Deadline: February 6th
Register Here
The Purdue Women in Agriculture Team is excited to offer this annual event designed to educate and uplift everyone 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 others throughout Indiana. The Ag Women Engage Conference is open to participation by all. Keynote speaker and breakout session information is listed below.
On February 12, 2025, the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team will be offering three pre-conference sessions and the Young Ladies in Ag Forum. Information about the pre-conference sessions can be found below.
Keynote Presentation

Courtenay Dehoff
Courtenay is a strong agriculture advocate and has taught tens of thousands in the industry the importance of sharing their story in order to bridge the disconnect between rural and urban communities. She is an executive producer and co-host of "Backroad Cowgirls", a digital series highlighting the diverse faces of agriculture and their stories.
Participants in the 2025 Ag Women Engage Conference will have the option to attend four breakout sessions throughout the day focusing 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. The 2025 Ag Women Engage Conference is open to everyone with an interest in the topics being presented.
Breakout Session #1 Options
Speaker: Pat Karst, Vice President, Halderman Farm Management and Real Estate Services
We will discuss the land market and what factors affect value, the general ag economy, and the lease rate market for cropland.
Speaker: Michael Langemeier, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
Leases on agricultural land are strongly influenced by local customs and traditions. However, in most areas landowners and operators can choose from several types of lease arrangements. This presentation will compare historical net returns for crop share leases, fixed cash rent leases, and flexible cash rent leases. Particular emphasis will be given to when and where flexible cash rent leases are a viable option.
Speaker: Angela Sorg, LMHC, PMH-C Health and Human Sciences Educator – DeKalb County
Farming is not just a job; it's a lifestyle that can offer great happiness and satisfaction. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges that can sometimes lead to sleepless nights. This program is designed to support farm women and families by providing the resources they need to handle the unexpected and enhance their emotional health. We invite you to join us in strengthening our existing resilience and ensuring that mental well-being flourishes alongside your farming endeavors. Always keep in mind that you and your family are the most valuable assets on your farm.
Moderator: Kelly Heckaman
Join other conference participants to discuss timely livestock topics and share your livestock experience with others. Participants will engage in collaborative dialogue on topics such as animal health, sustainable farming practices, and the integration of new technologies. The roundtable format encourages open conversation and the exchange of innovative ideas, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and drive collective progress in the field.
Breakout Session #2 Options
Speaker: Tamara Ogle, Purdue Extension Regional Community Development Educator
Farmland in Indiana is assessed for property taxes using a statewide base rate multiplied by a soil productivity factor. The base rate has increased at a rapid pace the last two years as higher crop prices and cash rents from 2021-2023 have entered the formula. In this discussion, Tamara Ogle will explain the base rate formula and provide an outlook for the base rate for the next few years. She will also explain how property taxes are calculated and why the percentage increase in your tax bill doesn’t always equal the percentage increase in your assessed value.
Speaker: Kerri Suhr, DVM, Director of Meat & Poultry Inspection, Indiana State Board of Animal Health
Animal agriculture in Indiana has been a busy sector on many fronts. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health’s Dr. Kerri Suhr provides an overview of the significant issues, from animal care to zoonotic diseases—and much more in between.
Speaker: Adrian Odle, Owner, Creekside Meadows Flower Farm
This presentation will discuss considerations and resources needed to add cut flowers to your existing farm or start a cut flower farm from scratch.
Moderator: Renee Wiatt
This collaborative environment is geared to foster a deeper understanding of effective succession planning, ultimately contributing to the long-term stability and success of farms and businesses.
Breakout Session #3 Options
Speaker: Renee Wiatt, Research and Extension Specialist
There is so much to gain (or lose) when transferring a family farm. Communicating through the succession process is not a straightforward skill. Learn how to juggle family and business discussions while moving succession forward for your farm!
Speaker: Amy Shambach, Aquaculture Marketing Outreach Associate
With seafood having a trade deficit of over $20 billion USD for over a decade and more demand than can be met by commercial fisheries, aquaculture has captured the attention of farmers and entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities. In this talk, we will touch on the basics of what aquaculture is, some reasons why aquaculture production is on the rise, and hear several real-world examples of farms that have diversified by adding aquaculture to their existing operation. We will wrap up our time by briefly touching on product possibilities, market considerations, and free resources available to you for marketing your future aquaculture products.
Speaker: Liz Maynard, Clinical Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and Diverse Corn Belt Project Team member.
The Diverse Corn Belt project (DCB) explores how widening crop rotations, grazing more livestock, and implementing agroforestry and other conservation agriculture practices can help our farms and communities become more resilient. Hearing farmers share their stories, we have learned about opportunities and challenges in adding enterprises alongside corn and soybeans. In the project’s fourth year, teams of farmers, community leaders, and ag professionals meet to imagine paths to the future. In this presentation, Liz will share what the DCB team has learned about agricultural diversification in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana and how you can become involved.
Moderator: Amie Osborn
This roundtable provides a platform for participants to share insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to enhance financial stability and growth in the agricultural sector.
Breakout Session #4 Options
Speaker: Ann Kline, Extension Educator, Ag & Natural Resources
Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most common sources of nitrogen fertilizer but is potentially the most hazardous chemical used on midwestern farms. This session seeks to raise awareness of the properties, risks, and safety precautions critical to the safety of those who work on or near farms using anhydrous ammonia.
Speaker: Matt Henry: Partner / Private Wealth Advisor; Ashley Stockwell: Associate Financial Representative
Matt and Ashley both have firsthand experience when it comes to the family farm and transition planning. One learned what not to do and one learned what the family farm is like when you have a transition plan and execute on it. We often meet with clients and they tell us they have a succession plan in place with their attorney but many do not realize that a transition plan is different than a succession plan. We also know that most families avoid tackling this conversation because it can be an emotional and difficult topic to discuss. However, avoiding it is not easy either. We help clients figure out what is important to them and their family farm, what they want to see happen, and we develop a transition plan for them to execute on.
Speaker: Amanda Kautz, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Indiana State Soil Health Specialist
Soil health is a buzz word in the world of agriculture these days, but do you know what it really means? Learn about the four principles of soil health, why it is important to your farm, and practices that can lead to healthier more productive soil and a sustainable farming operation for generations to come.
Speaker: Amie Osborn, VP, Commercial & Agricultural Lender- First Farmers Bank & Trust
Discover how lenders evaluate your farm’s financial health and the importance of financial analysis. Learn practical tips to enhance your farm’s financial stability and make informed decisions with confidence."
2025 Pre-Conference Sessions
In 2025, the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team is excited to be offering three different pre-conference sessions for individuals to choose between. Individuals who are not able to attend conference are welcome to join us for any of the pre-conference sessions. The pre-conference sessions are open to all individuals to attend. Details for the pre-conference sessions can be found below.
Pre-Conference Registration ends February 6th.
Register Here
Date: February 12, 2025
Location: Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46803
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration Cost: $35
Registration Deadline: February 6, 2025
Explore how to transform traditional farm visits into enriching educational experiences during this pre-conference session. In light of Indiana Senate Bill 395, field trips may face funding challenges, but affordable, educational farm tours aligned with classroom goals are still within reach. Learn from a Youth Development professional how to incorporate core subjects like math, geography, and science into farm-based learning for elementary students.
We’ll also dive into the growing role of urban agriculture with a tour of Johnnie Mae Farm, a community-centered urban farm in Fort Wayne. This unique space provides fresh, culturally relevant produce and serves as a hub for learning and community engagement. With its commercial-grade kitchen and farm market, Johnnie Mae Farm offers opportunities for field trips that go beyond a simple visit.
As a special feature of this session, participants will experience a hands-on food preservation workshop. The topic of the day will be Boiling Water Bath Canning with a focus on making jams and jellies. Attendees will learn to safely use boiling water bath canning equipment, gain hands-on practice, and take home their own homemade product. Whether you’re looking to bring agricultural education into the classroom or introduce youth to urban farming and food preservation, this session offers innovative ideas and practical skills for a robust learning experience!
Minimum – 9 participants and Maximum - 20 participants
Date: February 12, 2025
Location: Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Registration Cost: $50 with registration to Ag Women Engage Conference
$60 without registration to Ag Women Engage Conference
Registration Deadline: February 6, 2025
"Blooming Success: Mastering Post-Harvest, Pests, and Profits" is aimed at helping Indiana cut flower growers refine essential aspects of their operations for sustainable growth. This class focuses on three critical areas: effective post-harvest handling, pest management, and maximizing profits.
Participants will learn best practices for harvesting, storing, and handling cut flowers to ensure quality and extend shelf life. The class will also cover integrated pest management strategies to minimize damage and maintain healthy crops. Additionally, growers will gain valuable insights into improving their profitability through smart business strategies, pricing, and marketing techniques.
By mastering these areas, growers will be better equipped to increase yields, reduce losses, and enhance their farm's financial sustainability.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-4044.
Maximum - 32 participants
Date: February 12, 2025
Location: Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Registration Cost: $40 with registration to Ag Women Engage Conference
$50 without registration to Ag Women Engage Conference
Registration Deadline: February 6, 2025
Agricultural producers looking to develop their marketing skills are encouraged to participate in the Grain Marketing – Getting the Basics pre-conference session. This pre-conference session will empower producers to make commodity marketing decisions for their farming operation and communicate those decisions to the farm management team, key financial advisors, and family.
The Grain Marketing – Getting the Basics pre-conference will begin by discussing why commodity prices are what they are and why they are heading where they are. From there, participants will learn about
- Risk Tolerance,
- Cost of Production,
- Risk Management Tools,
- Marketing Matrix & Tools, and
- How to Make a Grain Marketing Plan.
By the end of the pre-conference, participants will understand the grain market, where prices are heading, and new tools they can use to help them develop a grain marketing plan. The Grain Marketing – Getting the Basics pre-conference session will feature Amanda Bennett and Amanda Douridas from Ohio State University Extension.
Maximum - 32 participants
The Young Ladies In Agriculture Forum invites young ladies in high school (individuals grades 8-12) and college interested in exploring future jobs in agriculture. Our goal is to bridge the gap between students interested in employment in agriculture and professional women in agriculture.
More information & registration for this year's forum can be found here
Wednesday Night Networking
More information about the Wednesday night networking will be available soon.
Hotel Information
Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center
1020 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone #: 260-420-1100
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 HereMany Thanks to our
2025 Ag Women Engage Conference Sponsors
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DO YOU WANT TO BE A SPONSOR OR VENDOR?
Download The Sponsorship/Vendor Application HereIf you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact Jenna Nees prior to the meeting at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu by February 6th.
For special dietary needs contact Jenna Nees prior to the meeting at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu by February 6th.
If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Jenna Nees prior to the meeting at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu by February 6th.
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