During the first week in March, women from all walks of agriculture came together to celebrate the 31st annual Farm Women’s Symposium (FWS). This event provides a community for women with a variety of agricultural involvement. Whether you grew up on a dairy farm, married into a cash crop operation, or work in agri-business field there's a spot for you!
Each year the event is filled with returning members who have built a family within the program and new attendees who strive to learn more and develop those new relationships. The bustling itinerary provides multiple opportunities for networking and learning opportunities for all members new and old.
Attending for the first time, Colleen Russell and Adrianna Jackson both found a sense of community and a new hope for the future of agriculture.
“Meeting all of these strong women who are going to guide their farms through whatever they come up against brought me a renewed hope for the future of family farms” exclaimed Colleen.
Adrianna Jackson explained, “whether you’re in the beef, trucking, food safety, orchards, financial services, or whatever sector you may be; there’s a place for you at FWS. All sectors can learn from the speakers and benefit from networking.”
These sectors are normally isolated and rarely have opportunities to learn from each other. For example, many of the attendees are only involved in organizations related to their individual farm focus. However, each sector is intertwined and the success of one depends on the success of another, so FWS provides an opportunity for them to learn from one another and understand the current environment that each group faces.
Another important aspect of attending FWS is getting a short break from the stresses of life. Colleen explained, “A great part of FWS is being able to get away from the farm and the daily challenges we face. Especially during the bus tour, I could see all the women laughing, talking, and enjoying themselves.”
First time attendees: Adrianna Jackson and Colleen Russell
Photo Credits: Christina Gelder Photography
For returning attendee Christina Gelder, FWS has become a family. Attending every year since 2012, her favorite memory is, “Each year I would always look forward to seeing one of the members, I think she was chairperson the first year I went, every time I saw her she would always greet me with a big hug. I really needed that hug, and it gave me something to look forward to each time.”
After falling in love with the event in 2012, Christina did whatever she could to attend each year. Her dedication to FWS has led to her being involved in multiple committees and she is currently the FWS photographer.
“FWS really helped me grow outside of my comfort zone. I’ve built a ton of relationships and learned a great deal of knowledge over the years. I’m a completely different person now, and I hope this event continues to reform women across the state and provide an environment for growth and grace where we can all come together to find unity in this unique industry,” Christina said gracefully.
Returning attendee Christina Gelder (left)
Photo credits: Christina Gelder Photography
To learn more about Farm Women’s Symposium visit https://www.farmwomenssymposium.org/ and make sure to check their website for announcements regarding next year's event!
