Kentucky Women in Agriculture is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower, educate, and engage women across the Commonwealth. Each year the state leadership of KWIA recognizes the strong women who serve their family, farm, and community, by hosting an annual conference to celebrate the accomplishments of the female agrarians of Kentucky. Lindie Huffman, Pendleton County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources joined the board and served as conference planning chair for 2017.

The conference over the last four years has seen a decline in participation and had lost strong connection/affiliation with Cooperative Extension. Looking to re-kindle the strong ties of Extension with KWIA, Lindie became involved and was appointed to conference planning chair at her first board meeting. After surveying the membership at large and strategic planning, Lindie lead the board in revamping the conference by adding focus, purpose, and a place to recognize strong Kentucky female leadership. 

The conference agenda, speakers, and program were developed by Lindie and utilized to excite women across the Bluegrass and entice them to share their stories and to celebrate their own strengths and successes as a “growHer”, while boosting membership and finding purpose for KWIA’s members. Kentucky is a “growHer” State was the common thread and theme used to bring women from across the state together to work through their personal growth, production, and professional development. The conference had focus, purpose, and power. 

Distributed in October to the 102 members of Kentucky Women in Agriculture via e-mail communication and posted to social media sites, resulted in a tremendous increase in conference registrations from the 2016 to 2017 year. In 2016, only 56 women participated in central Kentucky. 2017 brought in 138 registrations, resulting in an inspiring meaningful conference, empowered women, and re-energized leadership. The conference was a spark to ignite the passion and fire within women to share their agricultural stories and reach out to mentor the next generation of agricultural leaders. As a direct result of conference a strong district networking system has been established and added regional events to the program of activities.