February 4 - 5, 2009 Swan Lake Resort Plymouth, Indiana - Purdue ...

Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference
Wayne County Extension Office
401 E. Main Street
Richmond, IN 47374-4280
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February 4 - 5, 2009
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, Indiana

Welcome! It is my pleasure to invite you to join us for the eighth
annual Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference as we return to
where it all began at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana.
I hope you will take the opportunity to browse our break-out
sessions and discover there is something for everyone, no matter
your role in agriculture. New this year is a special track of sessions
focused on the new generation of agriculture producers. From
ethanol to wine, agriculture has many faces and these sessions will
highlight how producers of today and tomorrow are working to build
a unique role for themselves in the agriculture industry. And to
round the conference out, we have invited three high powered
speakers to enlighten and inspire you. Michelle Payn-Knoper will
kick off our conference with a humorous and memorable keynote on
fighting back for agriculture, Beth Bechdol will enlighten you on the
importance of trade in our current agriculture industry and Nan
Crockett Valentine will send you home in stitches as she shares how
to overcome life’s challenges with humor.
We hope our Women in Agriculture family, old and new, will join us
as we reunite to network with each other, get rejuvenated, and leave
motivated for agriculture. If you have any questions prior to
conference, please feel free to contact me at 765.973.9281 or by
email at sherr@purdue.edu. Look forward to seeing you in
February!
Sincerely,
Stacy Herr
Conference Chair
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Midwest Women in Agriculture conference is to
meet the needs of women in agriculture by addressing the personal,
family, and farm issues that affect their lives, their families, and their
farm businesses.
http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/wia
It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal
opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without
regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status,
sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action
institution. This material may be available in alternative formats.
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Conference Registration Form
Name: _______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
City: ___________________ State: _________ Zip: _________
Phone: _________________ ( )
County: ___________________
E-mail: _________________________________________
□ I would like to receive Women in Ag communication by email.
Meal Plans
□ Wednesday Lunch □ Wednesday Dinner □ Thursday Lunch
Special dietary needs: __________________________________________
Registrations received after January 23, including on-site registrations, cannot be guaranteed meals.
Concurrent Sessions/Topics
I plan to participate in the following (select one topic for each session):
(see pages 5-8 for descriptions of each topic)
SESSIONS / TOPICS
Session 1: Wednesday, 10:45 am
Session 2: Wednesday, 1:45 pm
Session 3: Wednesday, 3:30 pm
Session 4: Thursday, 9:15 am
Session 5: Thursday, 11:15 am
Topic A Topic B Topic C Topic D
Conference Fees
(No refunds after January 23 - a $10 handling fee will be assessed on all refunds.)
Days Attending: □ Both, 2/4 & 5 □ Wednesday, 2/4 □ Thursday, 2/5
Early Registration:
(before 1/16/09)
$75 $65 $65
Regular Registration:
(after 1/16/09)
$125 $100 $100
Make checks payable to: Wayne County Education Fund
and mail to: Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference
Wayne County Extension Office
401 E. Main Street
Richmond, IN 47374-4280
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, prior to January 16,
contact Stacy Herr, Purdue Extension - Wayne County, by calling 765/973-9281 or 765/973-9283.
FOR OFFICE USE
Date Rcv’d ________ Entered _________ Check No. ______ Cash ____

Lodging Information
Swan Lake Resort
5203 Plymouth-LaPorte Trail, Plymouth, IN 46563
Call and make your reservation today!
800-935-5616
If you plan to stay at Swan Lake Resort for the conference, the cost
will be $79.00 per room per night (more than two per room will cost
an additional $10 per person). You must make this reservation by
January 20 and mention the conference to receive the preferred rate.
When making reservations please make sure to note if you are
sharing a room and with whom so they can divide the charges.
Directions to Swan Lake:
Swan Lake Resort is located just 4 miles north of US 30. Turn
north off US 30 at Queen Road. Take an immediate left after the
turn onto Plymouth-LaPorte Trail. Travel 4 miles on this road and
Swan Lake Resort's hotel will be on your left.
Swan Lake
Resort
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Schedule of Events
FEBRUARY 4TH - DAY 1
(all times are Eastern Standard Time)
8:00 am - 10:30 am Registration
10:30 am Welcome
SESSION 1
10:45 am - Noon Topics 1A* / 1B* / 1C* / 1D* (attend one)
Noon - 1:30 pm Lunch & Keynote Speaker
(Michelle Payn-Knoper)
SESSION 2
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm Topics 2A* / 2B* / 2C* / 2D* (attend one)
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Break
SESSION 3
3:30pm - 4:45 pm Topics 3A* / 3B* / 3C* / 3D* (attend one)
4:45 pm - 6:00 pm Check-in/Relaxation
6:00 pm Dinner followed by Networking and
Rejuvenation Options (see page 9)
FEBRUARY 5TH - DAY 2
(all times are Eastern Standard Time)
7:30 am - 8:30 am Registration/Breakfast on Your Own at Swan
Lake Restaurant
8:30 am - 9:00 am Opening General Session
(Beth Bechdol, Ice Miller LLP)
9:00 am - 9:15 am Beverage Break
SESSION 4
9:15 am - 10:30 am Topics 4A* / 4B* / 4C* / 4D* (attend one)
10:30 am - 11:15 am Break and Check-out
SESSION 5
11:15 am - 12:30 pm Topics 5A* / 5B* / 5C* / 5D* (attend one)
12:30 am - 2:00 pm Lunch & Networking
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cap note Speaker (Nan Crockett Valentine)
3:00 pm Closing Comments
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* see pages 5 - 8 for descriptions of each topic

Our Keynote Speakers
Michelle Payn-Knoper
“Celebrating Agriculture”
The keynote speaker is Michelle Payn-Knoper.
Feeling worn out by your role in agriculture? This
keynote will inspire you to celebrate your unique
role, what's special about rural America, and
share that celebration with others! Michele’s
keynote is filled with poignant moments from her
life on the farm, lessons from working across the
industry, and key ways to fight back for the future
of agriculture. She’ll show you kickboxing moves
to fight back with the help of audience volunteers
(with a little humor thrown in). You will laugh and
cry while learning how to celebrate work from the
farm gate to the consumer plate. This memorable
keynote will help you fight misinformation and
uphold truths about the value of all facets of the
business.
“Breakaway Laughter”
"Learn your hot buttons. Everyone else has." This
sort of humor characterizes the approach Nan
Crockett Valentine offers in this informative and
inspiring cap note presentation.
An author, consultant and executive coach who
has worked with thousands of women, Nan will
show us ways we can use humor to overcome life's most vexing
hurdles. She'll share her personal story about how she used humor to
help her get through a time in her life that was marked by mental
illness, divorce, alcoholism...even a year-long case of hives. Nan's
work in the field of stress management grew from her desire to help
others who struggle.
Nan Crockett Valentine
Nan offers Women in Agriculture concrete ideas for managing our
stress and for living each day with grace.
Join us for this insightful presentation. Nan's light, humorous approach
offers us a fun, inspiring and uplifting end to our conference!
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Plymouth Information
PLYMOUTH, INDIANA
Located in the heart of Marshall County, Plymouth, Indiana offers small
town friendliness with the sophistication of a larger city.
SHOP MARSHALL COUNTY
When shopping Marshall County you'll see
we have a great mix of shops to
experience! From antiques to gifts to
bears and souvenirs you're sure to enjoy
the many unique shops in the area. Enjoy
an unbelievable variety of shops that offer
a small-town approach to quality and
customer service. You'll need more than
just a single day to explore an endless
variety of distinctive specialty stores, from
antique to local art galleries. For those
who prefer larger retail establishments, an
assortment of department and discount
stores are found just up the street.
Networking and Rejuvenation
Wednesday following dinner
We have organized the following options for you to relax and network
together on Wednesday evening. Complete details will be provided
with your conference confirmation.
Join us for a movie! The movie to be shown will be posted at
registration. Sign up at conference check-in.
Round table discussions – We will organize a set of round table
discussions for informal networking. No sign-up necessary.
A little exercise maybe? Bring your bathing suit and join a water
aerobics class. Additional fees and preregistration may apply.
Visit the Swan Lake Spa! Treat yourself to a little pampering while
you’re at conference and make an appointment for a stop at
the spa. Appointments will be made directly with Swan Lake
Spa and additional fees apply.
Relax on your own – Take the evening off and visit with friends,
network with others, retreat to your room with a good book or
maybe even get a few extra hours of shut-eye!

Sessions 4& 5: Topics
4D: New Generation Agriculture - Creating a Trail of Unique Tastes
(Meredith Easley, Easley Winery; Indianapolis, IN)
In this session, vintner Meredith Easley will share how developing a new
marketing tool is breathing new life for the next generation of this established
agriculture enterprise. You will learn how the Indy Wine Trail got started, who
participates and why this joint effort will help sustain these Indy wineries in the
future. You will also learn about Easley Winery and features that set them apart
from other Indiana wineries.
Session 5
5A: Joining Together for a Common Good (Deb Trocha, Indiana
Cooperative Development Center)
Have you considered how joining others that share your common interests
might create a larger benefit for you? In this session, the value of creating
cooperatives including ownership, control and beneficiaries will be discussed.
Learn how joining a cooperative can put you at the center of your business.
5B: Arthritis & Agriculture (Paul Jones, Purdue University Breaking New
Ground)
Because of the physical nature of agricultural work, arthritis can have an
especially disabling effect on farmers and ranchers. While there is no cure for
arthritis, there are ways to manage the pain. This session will help you
understand arthritis and will share practical tips on protecting your joints,
managing stress, and modifying work practices. Learn about these changes
today to start improving your life tomorrow.
5C: Telling YOUR Story – Public Relations Training For Your
Operation (Liz Woodruff, American Dairy Association of Indiana & Dairy
and Nutrition Council) There’s an old saying you may have heard
before…”good fences make good neighbors.” While that might have been true
50 years ago, today – with less than 2 percent of the U.S. population involved in
agriculture – agriculture stakeholders must be more proactive in building good
relationships with their neighbors and community.
5D: New Generation Agriculture - Engaging Generations (University of
Illinois Cooperative Extension)
Generations on the farm is an important issue in today's ag communities, with
parents or grandparents still involved in the day-to-day business and the
younger generation wanting to do things differently. Engaging Generations will
help families and businesses better understand how to successfully
communicate across generational lines and how to recognize the value that all
generations bring to the table.
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Sessions 1 & 2: Topics
Session 1
1A: Margin Risk-Is it Manageable? (Dr. Corinne Alexander, Purdue
University, Agricultural Economics Specialist)
In the highly risky commodity marketing environment, managing key areas in
your operation can offer a different approach to alleviating risk. The objective of
this session is to provide you with some tips for better decision making to help
“lock in” profitable margins.
1B: Strong Women Stay Strong (Susie Neher, Purdue Extension,
Consumer and Family Sciences Educator)
Essential to staying strong and vital during older adulthood is participation in
regular strengthening exercises, which help to prevent osteoporosis and frailty
by stimulating the growth of muscle and bone. Feeling physically strong also
promotes mental and emotional health. Strength training exercises are easy to
learn, and they have been proven safe and effective through years of thorough
research. Come to this session and learn how strength training can enhance
your life.
1C: Have Idea...Need Cash (Dr. Maria Marshall, Purdue University,
Agricultural Economics Specialist)
Ideas for a new agricultural enterprise or agritourism venture seem to be easy
to identify, but the money to get started can create an immediate roadblock to
pursuing your dreams. This session will help you identify what types of
ventures qualify for grant funding, sources of grant dollars and other
alternatives for funding your venture.
1D: New Generation Agriculture - A Fresh Cut on a Family Tradition
(Nikki Royer, Royer Farm Fresh Meats; Clinton, IN)
Join this session to learn how Nikki and her husband Scott have taken the
family tradition of raising wholesome beef, lamb and pork to a new level. She
will share how they got started raising livestock and how they have made a
unique niche for themselves as new generation ag producers growing hormone
free, pasture raised product marketed through the internet and at local farmer’s
markets.
Session 2
2A: Pre-Gaming Your Estate Planning Consultation (Janet Bechman,
Purdue Extension Plan of Work and Accountability Coordinator)
As farm operators and ag business owners age and decide to retire, the
question of business transfer arises. Estate planning does not have to be
overwhelming. This session will help you understand the basic steps in estate
planning and help you organize your thoughts before talking to an estate
planning professional. Hands-on activities will help you get started thinking
about your plans.

Sessions 2 & 3: Topics
2B: Preserving Foods with Safety First (Karen Richey, Purdue Extension
Consumer and Family Sciences Educator)
There are several factors to consider when canning, freezing or drying food at
home. Details of the latest USDA approved methods of preserving and safety
issues of the foods we preserve will be discussed. Recipes will also be shared.
2C: Connecting Kids with Cows (Amy Kelsay, Kelsay Farms, LLC;
Whitestown, IN)
On farm school tours can be a great way to communicate the value of
agriculture to young members of your community. Join this session to gain
insight from Kelsay Farm’s experience organizing elementary through high
school farm tours. Tips on insurance issues, working with schools, what to
charge, marketing your venture and engaging the students will be shared.
2D: New Generation Agriculture - Foraging Profits (Dustin Johnson;
Frankfort, IN & Jeremy Sweeten; Peru, IN)
Join this session to learn how new generation ag producers Dustin and Jeremy
found their niche in custom forage production and carved a spot for their future
in agriculture. They will share their experiences getting started, their trials and
triumphs along the way and their hope for the future of their businesses.
Session 3
3A: Is Professional Farm Management Right for Me? (Howard
Halderman, Halderman Farm Management)
Why should a landowner consider hiring a professional farm manager?
Understanding the services a farm manager provides as well as what the
landowner can expect in return will be shared in this session to help you decide
if a professional farm manager is best for your operation.
3B: Going Native with Rain Gardens and Wildlife Habitats (Nancy
Brown, Master Gardener; Elkhart County, IN)
Learn what a rain garden is and what it can do for your landscape and the
environment. We will walk through the steps to develop a residential rain
garden, including native plant selection. We will also discuss other uses of
native plants, particularly those that provide wildlife habitat. If you love low
maintenance gardening and the environment, this session is for you!
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Sessions 3 & 4: Topics
3C: Basic Steps to a Specialty Foods Start Up (Dr. Maria Marshall,
Purdue Agricultural Economic Specialist)
Value can be added to many of our agriculture and horticulture products by
creating a specialty food product for wholesale and retail sale. But before you
go canning up jam, there are important food quality standards that need to be
met as well as considerations for marketing your product. Join this session and
learn if a specialty food enterprise might be a good choice for you.
3D: New Generation Agriculture - Going “Greene” with Sunflowers
(Sawyer Sparks, BioGreene, LLC; Bloomfield, IN)
In this session new generation ag entrepreneur, Sawyer Sparks, will share his
inspiration to start his own business creating balanced energy solutions using
sunflowers. Learn about the facets of his BioGreene business and what impact
agriculture has on his business today and in the future.
Session 4
4A: Flexible Cash Rent and Farmland Leases (Dr. Craig Dobbins, Purdue
Agricultural Economics Specialist)
With the volatility in commodity markets, landowner and tenants alike are
interested in taking full advantage of changing prices and the use of flexible
lease agreements have gained much interest. But just what is a flexible lease
and how does it work? Join this session to learn the pros and cons of entering
into a flexible lease arrangement, view sample leases and gain a better
understanding of lease wordage.
4B: Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (Tammy Eades, ADM; Logansport, IN)
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, farming has one of the highest rates
of fatality of all occupations. Farm safety is a topic that should be on the minds
of every farm family. This session will focus primarily on keeping children safe
on the farm. As a representative of a chapter of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids,
Tammy will share this non-profit’s mission to promote a safe farm environment
for children, youth and husbands. Topics of discussion will be tractors, ATV’s,
blind spots, grain entrapment, play areas and what to know in case of
emergency.
4C: Wind Energy (Jimmy Bricker, Purdue Extension Economic &
Community Development Educator)
Benton County, the first county in Indiana with an operating commercial scale
wind energy conversion system, is now the location of the largest wind farm in
the world. This session will share the interest in wind development in the north
central part of Indiana and will also highlight the social, logistical and technical
issues of this billion dollar development from the perspective of local
government, landowners, citizens and business owners.