Empowering Kentucky Women in Agriculture
In 1999, two women brought together a group of female leaders in agriculture from
across Kentucky to plan a statewide educational conference targeted specifically to
women. With no real way of predicting response, the planning tasks were completed and
conference registration began. Initially limited to 200 participants, the registration
numbers quickly rose above that to reach almost 240. What began that year has
continued, grown, and taken hold in Kentucky. Annual conferences draw a wide array of
women in agriculture from across the state, and the momentum has not waned.
Members of the 1999 leadership team represented University of Kentucky, Kentucky
State University, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, USDA Farm Service Agency,
Kentucky Farm Bureau, and a variety of commodity and agribusiness associations. From
1999-2003, this leadership group coordinated three statewide conferences and one market
research trip to Cuba.
With sustained momentum and support for women in agriculture programs and activities,
a membership organization for women in agriculture was formed in 2003. In 2005,
membership in Kentucky Women in Agriculture, Inc. (KWIA) increased above 160. The
organization now spearheads planning of the annual conferences targeted to women in
agriculture. Through its board and committees, KWIA has planned and conducted two
successful conferences since incorporation, and is busy working on details for another in
November 2006. Extension remains engaged with the group through ex officio
representatives to the organization’s board. In addition, both land grant universities
continue to support the annual conferences through monetary and in-kind sponsorship,
program presentations, and planning assistance.