DEADWOOD, SD – Women who are involved in the agriculture industry across the region and those who want to learn more about agriculture will be meeting during the Rural Women in Agriculture Conference set for October 6-7 in Deadwood
According to organizers, the rural women’s conference provides a host of guest speakers and resources that address current ag issues along with self-development topics.
The two-day event held at The Lodge in Deadwood, will offer opportunities to learn about recession proofing, creative social media engagement and heart health, along with having the opportunity to meet motivational speaker and entertainer, Markie Hageman.
Growing up in Tulare, CA, Hageman had dreams of attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, but her love of animals ultimately sent her on a different path. After her mother pointed out that she couldn’t take her horse to the Fashion Institute, Hageman decided to attend Fort Hays State University in Kansas, where she majored in animal science and graduated with her ag business degree.
In 2018, Hageman moved back to California, where she bought her first set of cows a couple of years later. Her cow/calf operation will include a direct to consumer beef business. Today, she lives in Hilmar with her fiancé and will participate in National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) new Checkoff-funded Trailblazers program.
“I’ll be talking about if we feel empowered as women in the ag industry, we will continue to empower other women who want to get into the ag industry or who want to be more involved in the ag industry,” said Hageman. “I’ll be talking about my journey as someone who didn’t grow up in ag and how to encourage women like me to get involved.”
The conference that kicks off with a tour of “Tatanka: Story of the Bison,” also includes a workshop with Hageman and wraps up with the awards banquet that evening.
“There are two parts to the workshop,” says Hageman. “First, to learn how to develop your ag advocacy story and then how to use social media effectively and how to utilize it to best fit your lifestyle.” She added, “We need more people to be the voice of agriculture, no matter if they came from it or not.”
The agenda on Friday, Oct. 7 includes “Heart Health,” Dr. Stephen Wasemiller, Monument Health, “Soil Health…even in a Drought,” NRCS, and “Recession Proofing,” Deb Dodson, Dan & Dixie Oedekoven.
Well known blogger and children’s book author Amanda Radke will also be presenting Friday afternoon. Radke is a fifth generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Radke regularly tackles industry issues as a blogger, columnist, investigative journalist, speaker, and entertainer. She is also a children’s book author.
Find registration and contact information, see on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaWomeninAg/ and at http://www.southdakotawomeninag.com/conference
Thursday, Oct. 6:
1:00pm Tantanka Tour
3:00pm: “Girls Eat Beet Too,” Markie Hageman
4:15pm: Workshop, Markie Hageman
5:00pm: Supper
5:45: Awards
7:00pm: Creative Learning
Friday, Oct. 7:
7:00am: Breakfast
9:00am: Opening
9:15am: “Heart Health,” Dr. Stephen Wasemiller, Monument Health
9:45am: Break
10:00am: “Soil Health…even in a Drought,” NRCS
10:50am: “Recession Proofing,” Deb Dodson, Dan & Dixie Oedekoven
12 Noon: Lunch
12:45: Caramel Auction and Silent Auction
1:15pm: Amanda Radke
2:30pm: Workshop, Amanda Radke
