Women in Farm Management - Information Abounds!

If you haven't had a chance to read the following posts you might want to before reading this one.  It's leading up to this final one on the conference I recently attended.

Take Aways #1 - Food - from #WMFheroes

or 

Women in Farm Management Conference 2015

One of the breakout sessions I was lucky enough to attend brought me knowledge I think will be quite valuable to our farming operation.  

It was presented by an assistant professor from Kansas State University.  I was completely thrilled that she didn't talk over my head! :) This is a big thing for me!

The first session I attended was about cash rent vs. renting on shares. You might recall I wrote a post in 2012 about farming arrangements.   I actually was surprised at how many more options there are in regards to arrangements.  The basis thought is these two.  One thing I took away was that it is beginning to become a trend that the landowner share in the seed cost as well as the other expenses.  Previously this was not the trend.

Another great thing about this session was that we were able to enter data in by a remote clicker.  They were questions in regards to our farming operations.  Then we could see the percentage of each answer from those in the room.  Very interesting to see the diversity, yet similar things happening on farms!

The second session she presented gave us tools to determine equitable lease rates for our specific farming operation.  It was an excel spreadsheet and if you are interested in taking a look, you can find it on AgManager.

The day before the actual conference began we were given a couple options to visit some local Ag related establishments. I chose the Tour of KSU Grain Science Complex.  

I truly enjoyed this tour and wish we didn't didn't run out of time.  I had been in a flour mill before as I worked in a flour mill lab for a short while.  Each building had it's purpose and it was an enjoyable tour, although quite chilly that day! I would love to take my husband to tour the complex sometime!

This is the last post I will write about the Women in Farm Management.  The dates for next years conference are February 4th and 5th!  If you are a woman in Agriculture in any form I would recommend this conference!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Farmers - Not What I Imagined - #WMFHEROES

When Jim Richardson began to speak I knew it would be an enjoyable session I was attending.  His voice was upbeat and he had joked pretty quickly into his presentation!  That's always a good sign!

Then the photographs began.  My words will not do justice to the talent this man holds.  The way he opened my eyes and mind to the fact that farmers are not only this....

OR this.

But also the way we farm in our neck of the woods seems to look pretty easy compared to how some must farm just to feed their family.  Although they might be  helping feed the world too.  Planting by hand, children helping daily, and starting over each new day early to late.

Jim opened my eyes to see other farmers in a human light.  It makes me hope that I am able to do that for those that are no longer familiar with farm life.  That are generations removed from rural living.  This blog is one way to share the way we farm, and to reach out to groups of people that are living off the farm.

I invite you to visit Jim's website and look at some of the most beautiful photographs you will ever see.  You will have the chance to see not only beauty but a view into a world removed from our Kansas Agriculture. Yet we have a link to feeding the world between us.


Jim Richardson Photography - Farmers Growing Our Food

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Take Aways #1 - Food - from #WMFheroes

As I mentioned in my post Women Managing the Farm Conference,  today I am sharing some of my take-aways. I feel if we can not share knowledge then we have lost one of the great things about living a life with meaning.  I hope you find some of the tid-bits helpful!

Judi Adams (Wheat Foods Council) spoke on the first day and it came at a very good time in my life.  I am really making a conscious effort to become healthier.  Being on a farm and living with bread as a large staple in my life, it's difficult to eat in moderation.  But her presentation was one that gave me hope that I could eat the bread or other things made with flour, but do it in moderation.  If I include common sense, moderation, and a variety I should be able to live a life with  My Plate eating plan. (Note: not diet)  

"Less than 8% of Americans follow these guidelines" (Judi Adams).  To be honest after hearing that 8% I feel ashamed, because I am part of that percentage.  It's a work in progress and definitely not easy, but hearing this information gives me willpower and motivation!  Check out My Plate, it's pretty neat!  

Judi explained many things about gluten and celiac disease. Also that there are lots of people now deciding not to eat gluten and it's not because they have a health issue from it. 

Also many do not know what gluten is although they are removing it from their diet!

I liked this video, take two minutes out of your life to learn what gluten is.  It's pretty easy to understand.

What the Heck is Gluten?

Judi also brought to mind the fact that we (the farmers) are some of the best candidates to share knowledge about wheat. We can offer knowledge to the public about how it is grown, teaching about the practices, and what it produces.  If I wanted to know something about a contract I wouldn't go to a doctor, I would go to an attorney.  So why are people going to non-producers for information about how wheat is grown and what it is?  I will be checking out my newest resource Wheat Foods Council to grow my knowledge!

The next topic I'd like to share about is one that involves food as well.This session I left feeling excited and dreaming.  Mary Mertz from River Creek Farms explained their Feast of the Fields they hold twice a year.  This, from what I can tell is agritourism at it's best!  

Mary explained how Feast of the Fields came to be, what one must do to prepare to hold events like this at their farms, and the food served sounded incredible!  She stood before me freely explaining what should be done to have events like this!  

I'm sure inviting 50 to 70 people to your operating farm to be served in a corn field or beautiful stone barn is no easy task. The meals are prepared by a chef, served by youth in various culinary and farming clubs and schools.  An explanation of farm life from real life farmers is something those off the farm should take advantage of when it's offered up! And it is offered up at these events!

My thoughts are" The Little Apple", Manhattan, Kansas has more than just the K-state Wildcats to be proud of! Feast of the Fields looks to be a once in a lifetime experience perhaps!

I have already contacted Mary to get my name on a list as this is one of those experiences I do not want to miss in my lifetime! You might want to do the same!

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Julie

Women in Farm Management Conference 2015

I was lucky enough to spend some time growing my knowledge of Ag things, connecting with other women in the farming world, and enjoy visiting with a couple friends I do not get to see much last week.

I attended the Women in Farm Management Conference and I must admit I enjoyed the experience a great deal. I recommend it to all women in agriculture, whether you are the farmer's right hand, business manager, absentee landlord, or work in an Ag related field.  I can already think of two ladies I hope are able to come with me next year.

The speakers varied from a dietitian with Wheat Council Foods, a photographer that was both a great speaker and extremely talented, Senator Pat Roberts, and Dr. Barry L. Linchbaugh to name a few.  I came away with information and happier heart for their speaking abilities. 

They offered a very nice location for the event and the food was more than plenty! The breakout sessions were helpful and sometimes I wanted to attend more than one, but was unable too.  Anything from What is GMO? to Record Keeping to Farm bill information, Estate planning, and Feast of the Fields.  That last one was extremely enjoyable for me!

During the conference I was texting my husband, the farmer to visit about things I was learning.  I couldn't wait to get home.  Having conversations about farming and me understanding more than I have in the past is a true enjoyment for me.  I feel I am truly understanding more of the dream that lays so close to his heart.  It's growing within me as well and together we will make farm life a legacy.

Being a Farmer's wife can mean many things to different people.  But when you collectively place several in one location, with information abounding, the end result will be great conversations, ideas shared, and new friendships made. 

I encourage you if you are a part of the agriculture world and a woman, please join this conference next year on February 4th and 5th.  

I will be posting more take aways this week!  So you don't miss any, please be sure to follow us in some manner!

To follow us via email, you can check out the top right hand corner of our blog!

Delivered straight to your inbox to read what we posted!

Would you rather follow us on Pinterest or Facebook!

Awesome! We have those too!

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Thanks for stopping by!

Julie