Annual women in agriculture conference moves online

<p>Helen Wilbers/FULTON SUN These swine can keep snoozing — the “Pearls in Production” Women in Agriculture conference is going virtual this year, meaning less hands-on learning for participants but a wider variety of exciting speakers.</p>

Helen Wilbers/FULTON SUN These swine can keep snoozing — the “Pearls in Production” Women in Agriculture conference is going virtual this year, meaning less hands-on learning for participants but a wider variety of exciting speakers.

The 2020 Pixels of Production - Women in Agriculture online conference will offer women farmers and ranchers a four-night opportunity to learn practical tips and be inspired.

The online event, presented via Zoom, replaces the annual Pearls of Production face-to-face, hands-on conference. This is the conference's 13th year.

Topics range from ergonomics to silvopasture, said Marcia Shannon, University of Missouri Extension swine nutritionist.

The sessions run 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Nov. 5-17. Each evening's presentations include a session on practical tips and a headline speaker. Shannon noted the keynote speakers are sandwiched between other speakers, so "if people are still fixing supper or still doing chores and get on late, they won't miss the keynoter." Talks will be recorded so registered attendees can catch up on any sessions they miss.

"Some are going to be rah-rah keynote speakers and some are going to be content-focused keynote speakers," she said. "One of the positives (of doing a virtual conference) is we can get some big keynote speakers because we don't have to pay them to travel to Columbia."

Shannon highlighted Amberley Snyder, a championship barrel racer who became paralyzed from the waist down after a car crash. Snyder continues to compete in pole bending and breakaway roping.

"She's going to give the positive side of, 'You can do this,'" Shannon said.

Another silver lining to the online format: There's no need to limit attendance. In a normal year, attendance is limited to 50 because the conference typically involves lots of hands-on learning.

"They're wearing work clothes and work boots and clipping sheep hooves and getting dirty," Shannon said. "We limit it then because we want the women to actually have the ability to do hands-on, and we can't do it with 200."

One year attendees even got to wield chainsaws.

"We had to file a lot of liability insurance that year," Shannon quipped.

Shannon said the focus of lecturers is broader this year, with more information about the economics side of farming.

"It's allowed us to broaden the audience little bit," she said.

She hopes to return to an in-person format next year but said the committee hasn't ruled out maintaining an online component to the conference.

Scholarships are available for previous Pearls of Production attendees, high school and college students, and beginning farmers and ranchers. The regular fee is $70 for all four evenings, but Shannon said she'd be surprised if many attendees paid more than $40 after the discounts.

Shannon noted the conference is open to anyone who's interested, including those who aren't yet farmers.

"The focus is on women, but we've had men attend and high school girls," Shannon said.

Participants with limited internet access can contact their local University of Missouri Extension center for viewing options.

For more information, contact Shannon at [email protected] or 573-882-7859.

Sessions and topics include:

Nov. 5

"Ergonomic Tool Talk" with MU Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch and livestock specialist Brenda Schreck.

"Livestock Identity and Tagging" with livestock specialists Kendra Graham and Rachel Hopkins.

Ashland farmer Caroline Sicht gives keynote address on "Building Bridges" to help farmers tell their stories. Visit TellYourFarmStory.com.

Nov. 10

"Livestock in the Woods" with natural resources specialist Sarah Havens.

Keynote speaker Micah Jansen, a Zoetis Inc. veterinarian, will speak on "Vaccinology." She gives an overview of basic pig immunology, how vaccines work, how vaccines can become less effective and how to properly vaccinate.

"Silvopasture" with Ashley Conway of the MU Center for Agroforestry. Conway talks about the integration of trees with animals and forages.

Nov. 12

"ABCs of USDA" with USDA representatives.

Keynote speaker Temple Grandin, renowned author on animal behavior and autism.

"Grant Writing" with horticulture specialist Debi Kelly.

Nov. 17

"Livestock Tools and Equipment" with livestock specialists Kendra Graham and Rachel Hopkins.

Keynote speaker Amberley Snyder on "There Is No Future in Giving Up." She is the author of "Walk Ride Rodeo: A Story About Amberley Snyder."

"Regenerative Agriculture" with Susan Jaster, farm outreach worker with Lincoln University.