Nationally 30% of all farm operators are women. In Kentucky, there are 31,419 women operators of which 8,200 are principle operators. Of all women principal operators in the state, 87.2% are full owners. Undeniably, women make up a significant portion of agriculturalists in our area. Because of these statistics, local area Extension Agents felt a need to reach out to this underserved audience to provide support, education, and networking opportunities. 

Casey, Cumberland, Grayson, McCreary, Pulaski, and Taylor County Extension Agents worked together to plan the event they would offer. They then reached out to businesses who would want to sponsor the event. Casey County Farm Bureau, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, Taylor County Farm Bureau, and Taylor County Farm Credit all provided funding for the event, covering food as well as materials for the projects for participants.

On June 4th, 2022, the first Central KY Women in Agriculture Conference was held at the Taylor County Extension Office. Participants had the opportunity to choose from an array of classes to attend based on their personal agricultural interests. Extension Agents taught and led these classes consisting of different topics falling into beef, beekeeping, greenhouse, poultry, record-keeping, and small ruminant categories. All attendees also participated in an Agricultural Financing Opportunities course, as well as Value-Added Ornamental Production, where they learned how to build value-added ornamental planters and were able to design and take home their own planters and hanging baskets. 

There were 25 participants in the event, a great number for the first time ever being offered. All attendees left talking about how great the event was and numerous comments were made about it being offered again in the future. As an initial result women were able to network and make connections with other women with similar interests and passions. Participants were also interested in follow-up programs getting more in-depth with specific topics covered at the conference.