Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Women leaders in agriculture aim to empower female veterans


    With the help of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency, Annie’s Project and Oxfam America, the Farmer Veteran Coalition is hosting the “Empowering Women Veterans: Success in Agriculture Business and Well-Being” conference, aiming to bring women veterans together in an environment specifically designed to address their unique experiences and needs in agriculture.
    The conference, being held in Davis, Calif. on July 7–8, will be the first of its kind, and women leaders in business and agriculture will speak to participants about the challenges faced by women, the tools to mitigate risk in their agricultural ventures and available programs to help women farmers succeed. Educational topics will include the RMA five areas of risk(production, price (market), financial, legal and personal); business structure and farm contracts; an introduction to Quicken Software (with free software); loans, debt and credit; direct marketing; and farm labor. Most importantly, the event will be a gathering point for women veterans from across the county with the potential to build community and relationships among many who are isolated on rural farms.
    “This conference will raise awareness of the attendees’ national and local benefits and resources, and will address their needs both as veterans and as farmers," said Tia Christopher, Farmer Veteran Coalition fellowship fund director. "These powerful women will have a chance to learn about and take with them valuable resources which will support and ease their transition into civilian careers.”

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