The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA -- The 2014 Women in Agriculture Conference offers women in Washington, Oregon and Idaho a unique opportunity to gather in 28 locations for a one-day event featuring knowledgeable speakers, inspiring stories, practical advice for improving farm management skills and networking with other women producers. The statewide event takes place on March 15 with a local meeting location at Walla Walla Community College.

This year's event, "Change Happens: Make It An Op­portunity," covers topics including farm business decision- making, using financial records to improve the bottom line and problem solving for change. The keynote will be broad­cast to all 28 conference locations. In addition to the keynote address, each location will feature three local women pro­ducers who will share their experiences with change. This conference is designed for women who have been farming for years, as well as for new and aspiring farmers.

Registration is now open and discounted pre-registration ends March 1, 2014. Registration may be completed online at womeninag.wsu.edu and clicking the brown "Online Reg­istration" icon in the left sidebar. Early registration is $25 for women and $20 for students. For further information, contact local facilitator Deb Fortner at Debbie.Fortner@wa.usda.gov