Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
WSU Extension’s women in agriculture conference will take place in a whole new mode this year. Usually located in Wenatchee, the event this year will be Feb. 11 in 16 locations around the state with keynote speaker messages broadcast to all locations.
The nearest event to Whitman County will be in Spokane, where local farmers Cheryl Kammerzell of Colfax and Sheryl Zakarison of Pullman will speak.
The localized format is designed to make it easier for farm women to participate in the statewide conference while minimizing travel distances.
“Women are uniquely tasked with the demands of both farm and family, which can make travel to one state location a challenge,” said chairperson Margaret Viebrock, also WSU’s Douglas County Extension Director. “This new approach allows us to offer our headline speakers at all locations, while also making the conference specific to each region.”
The Spokane event will be at the WSU Spokane County Extension office. There will be an agricultural workshop consisting of stories, advice on management skills and general networking opportunities.
The two keynote speaker talks will be televised. They are Lyn Garling of Over the Moon farm and Rita Emmet, the author of “The Procrastinator’s Handbook.” Garling, a farmer who got started later in life, will share about being a “woman farmer” today and how her challenges, inspirations and frustrations have contributed to her success.
Emmet will discuss how to “Blast Away Procrastination” in order to be more successful at work, in relationships and in life. Emmet argues that procrastination is not a character trait, but a habit.
WSU Extension and conference team member Janet Schmidt says the group hopes the new 16-location format is a success.
“We’ve not done it before, so we’re excited,” she said. “We hope to be able to host a site in Pullman next year.”
Registration for the conference is $25 and includes lunch and a copy of “The Procrastinator’s Handbook.” The deadline to register by mail or online http://www.WomenInAg.wsu.edu is Jan. 25.
For more information, call the county extension office in Colfax.. The WSU Spokane County Extension office is located at 222 N. Havana.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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