Author: John Tucker
Planning Unit: Hickman County CES
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Plan of Work: Improve leadership skills, strengthen volunteerism, & promote community and economic development.
Outcome: Initial Outcome
On average 85 % of all the land in farm use for the four river counties is in cropland. (2017 Census of Agriculture) Three of the four counties have over 38 million in crop sales, while Hickman County sells almost 57 million in crop sales. (2017 Census of Agriculture) In all four river counties, there is an average of 29.75% female farm producers. (2017 Census of Agriculture) Our program this year for the Women in Ag Conference was to concentrate on Women’s Leadership in Agriculture-presented by Dr. Kristie Guffey, associate professor at Murray State University and a past Women in Ag state board member. 54 Farm owners or professional organization members (48 female and 6 males) attended the program, 6 of which have attended more than 15 years of WIA programs. With soybeans being the number one crop in acres for every river county (2017 Census of Agriculture), Matt Moss from the Kentucky Soybean Board was also invited to discuss KY Soybeans and his trip to Turkey to learn about soybeans and aquaculture. Jennifer Rogers talked on Tax and Economic issues affecting women and farm families. Melissa Meyers discussed FSA agency updates. Mike Keller did a demonstration on preparing Nashville Chicken. 100 % of those surveyed said they will practice at least one thing they learned from the Women’s Leadership in Ag presentation. 92% said they enjoyed Matt Moss’s presentation on Aquaculture and KY Soybeans. 88% of those surveyed said they were very capable of dealing with taxes and financial planning. 100% of those responding said they will use at least one resource from the Farm Service Agency. 78% of those attending felt they would use information in the Nashville Chicken demonstration. 100% of those surveyed said the sessions were just right in length and to the point. 98% of those surveyed said the conference was great. River Valley Ag Credit provided lunch. Hopefully these women in agriculture will take this information and carry it back to the family farms and businesses.
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