OTTAWA, Kan. — Women involved in any facet of agriculture are encouraged to attend a one-day “Women in Agriculture” conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, at the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium, 301 S. Hickory St., Ottawa. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.
A similar event held in March 2024 drew nearly 70 participants, and organizers anticipate an even larger turnout this year.
The day will begin with a keynote address, “The Next Generation of Agriculture,” presented by Debbie Lyons-Blythe. Additional sessions throughout the day will cover estate planning—including a panel discussion—farm and ranch accounting systems, beef quality assurance practices, and strategies for turning stress into strength.
Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend; however, registration is required for meal planning. Participants are asked to register by April 8 by calling Lauren Gammill at 785-229-3520, emailing [email protected], or using the QR code on the event flyer.
Women represent nearly one-third of farm operators in Kansas but often face challenges in accessing land, credit, and other resources. This conference aims to empower participants by providing a welcoming environment to share knowledge, build connections, and strengthen their roles in agriculture.
While the event is titled “Women in Agriculture,” it is open to everyone. Organizers hope attendees will benefit from the wide variety of topics offered.
The planning committee includes representatives from the Anderson, Franklin, and Osage County Conservation Districts; county Farm Bureaus; Sylvester Ranch; Frontier Farm Credit; and the Frontier Extension District.
Keynote speaker Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a dedicated cattle rancher from near White City in the Flint Hills. She views ranching as a way of life and is a strong advocate for environmental stewardship, succession planning, and the sustainability of grazing lands for future generations.
She and her husband, Duane, have five children and are committed to continuing their family’s ranching legacy.
Lyons-Blythe’s accomplishments include serving as past chair of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef; receiving the 2022 Certified Angus Beef Progressive Partner Award; being named the 2012 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year by Monsanto; and holding leadership roles with the Kansas Livestock Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Community members are encouraged to attend this educational and informative event.
