East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference returns

For the 11th year, Ohio State University Extension will empower women, high school-aged and beyond, through its East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 27 at the Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster.

The United Nations has declared this year the International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the vital yet often underrecognized roles in global agriculture and addressing barriers women face — such as limited access to land, credit and technology — while promoting policies and investments that advance gender equity in agrifood systems.

The East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference continues to reach a significant number of entrepreneurial women.

The objective of the conference is to support families involved with agriculture by conducting educational programs and activities for women of all ages that address their pursuit of building independent and productive lives. The conference consists of a continental breakfast, up to 24 breakout sessions, lunch and a keynote speaker.

Educational tracks include Plants, Animals, Business and Finance, Special Interest, Home and Family, and Personal Development. These informative and interactive sessions are presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, farmers, industry professionals and partner agencies.

We are thrilled to have Gina Orr of FreshORR Family Farms as our keynote this year. Gina is a wife, mom, former engineer and university instructor who never planned on becoming a farmer yet now runs a thriving farm business. Her life didn’t follow a straight line, and that’s exactly why she’s passionate about this message. She knows firsthand your everyday life is shaping your path, and she encourages women to step into what they’ve been prepared for all along. You can learn more about Gina and FreshORR Family Farms at www.freshorrfamilyfarms.com.

Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/eowiareg26. The cost of the conference is $70 for adult participants and $35 for students and includes participation, breakfast, lunch and conference materials. The deadline for registration is March 13.

Stay connected with the Ohio Women in Agriculture Learning Network on Facebook at @OHwomeninag or subscribe to the Ohio Women in Agriculture blog site at u.osu.edu/ohwomeninag.

For more information about this conference, call or email Kate Shumaker, extension educator, at 330-674-3015 or shumaker.68@osu.edu.

Kate Shumaker is an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences educator. Like and follow on Facebook @OSUEXTHolmes or visit holmes.osu.edu.