by Katie Martin – UT Extension Agent
If you are one of the many females in Smith County who is involved in agriculture, I hope you will mark your calendar for the third annual “Women in Ag Summit” hosted by the Upper Cumberland Extension Team. This year the Women in Ag event will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Bilbrey’s Crossing in Rickman. The goal of this event is to celebrate the impact that female producers are having in Tennessee Agriculture and provide skills for their future success. We will have a mix of lectures and hands-on demonstrations from Extension & industry professionals as well as an opportunity for networking and learning from other producers.
According to the 2022 census of agriculture, over one-third of the agricultural producers in Smith County are female. These women are a vital part of producing food, fuel, and fiber right here in our local communities, across the country, and even globally. Our hope is that this event will equip them with the skills and tools they need to meet the unique challenges and opportunities that being a woman in agriculture brings.
Highlights of the Women in Ag Summit include a session on farm stress, time for networking, and a keynote address from former National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston. There will also be opportunities to attend breakout sessions covering gardening, caring for beef cattle, food preservation, and agriculture in the classroom.
The Women in Ag Summit is open to women of all ages and backgrounds who are involved in agriculture, from farmers to educators to industry professionals. We hope you will make plans to join us as we learn, network, and grow together!
The cost for this event is $20 per person. A catered lunch will be provided. Please call the Smith County Extension Office at 615-735-2900 to register. Space is limited, so sign up early and join us as we celebrate and educate our wonderful female farmers!
We want to especially thank Farm Credit Mid America for their generous sponsorship and support of this event.
