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8th Annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference
Breaking Ground, Seeding Success
Conference Welcome
Dear Women in Ag:
Welcome to the 8th Annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference. This year’s theme, “Breaking Ground, Seeding Success,” reflects the hard work women put into their agricultural careers and the rewards they achieve.
The two-day event focuses on career advancement, leadership development, and trending topics in agriculture. This conference has become a comfortable setting for women to explore new opportunities while expanding their network of women working in farming, agribusiness, and agricultural organizations, as well as students.
Once again, our amazing guest speakers and tour hosts are generous with their time and eager to share their experiences and insights with us. We have a friendly conference where the speakers are accessible to you. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to talk with them throughout the conference.
On Wednesday, we are offering a special Red Cross Frist Aid and Life-Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application Certification Course from 11:15 am to 3:00 pm. We’ll also be bringing back the popular campus tours with some new locations and some favorites that you missed last year. We are excited to bring you Iowa’s homegrown advocate for women in agriculture, Lexi Marek Beeler. From showing pigs to supporting business growth, Lexi has the drive to succeed. This new mom will share plenty of facts, stories, and energy to inspire everyone in the room!
Our intensive workshops feature strong women in agriculture who are leaders and role models. They’ll generously share their experience with a focus on practical skill building to help you achieve your goals. As we end the day, renew your spirit, and expand your network with a relaxing dinner and social hour.
On Thursday, the conference planning committee is pleased to introduce you to Heather Malenshek of Land O’ Lakes, Inc. Forbes named Heather as one of the country’s most influential Chief Marketing Officers. She has a passion for helping others achieve their true potential. We are always humbled to announce the Women Impacting Ag honorees who accomplish great things. The 2024 honorees are: Chris Cornelius, Julie Kenney, Wendy Johnson, and Janette Smith. Enjoy their extraordinary stories and take time to visit with them.
The luncheon panel will feature Angie Treptow and Karen Rawson, both leaders in finance and lending, who will share their stories and discuss the farm economy. The breakouts offer stimulating topics such as agricultural entrepreneurship, family business transitions, better conversations, strategies for success, leading as communicators, and Annie’s Project stories.
Our capstone speaker, April Hemmes, is guaranteed to end the day with heart felt laughter. Her passion for agriculture is at the core of who she is. Throughout her 39-year career in farming she has taken on leadership roles from supporting the local FFA chapter to becoming a director on the United Soybean Board.
This conference is designed around three key goals. We hope you’ll take home and carry with you: a belief in yourself and the power of life-long learning, connections with other women who inspire your leadership journey, and new skills that enhance your leadership and your life.
A very special thank you to our advisory committee members, speakers, sponsors, attendees, and everyone who is coming together to create this meaningful event.
Sincerely,
Madeline Schultz and Lisa Scarbrough, Conference Co-Chairs
