The 10th annual Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference is set to be held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on July 26. This year’s theme is Sharing Solutions, and the one-day conference will offer opportunities for valuable take-aways on an array of current farm challenges: marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management, transition hurdles, high cash rental rates, and bootstraps for beginning farmers.

Karey Claghorn, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, and former Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will kick off the event with a 2017 Ag Outlook, and other keynote speakers will include Leslie Miller, vice-president of Iowa State Savings Bank, Knoxville, and April Hemmes, United Soybean Board director and former Iowa Women in Agriculture president.

Several workshops and presenters are scheduled, including “Meeting Marketing Challenges,” Angie Setzer, Citizens LLC, Algona, Iowa, and “Get Ready for New Livestock Antibiotic Rules,” Niesha Muller, Elanco Animal Health and Amber Knudsen, Purina Animal Nutrition

Attendees will also be able to participate in the Ag Forum Q & A on Transition Tight Wires, with a speaker panel featuring Dr. Neil Hamilton, director, Drake University Agricultural Law Center; and Northwood, Iowa farmers Al Johnson and Brent Keene.

A Water Quality Tour will also be offered on Monday, July 25. The tour will be hosted by Jamie Benning, ISU Water Quality Program Manager and Madeline Schultz, Women in Agriculture Program Manager at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

A motor coach tour will also be offered on the 25th, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tour will feature urban and rural water-quality improvement demonstrations.

Early-bird Conference registration is $50 before July 18, and regular registration cost is $70. Registration includes the water quality tour, evening welcome networking reception, continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks. On-site registration will be offered from 7:15 a.m. – 8 a.m. on the day of the conference.

Early bird registration before July 18 is required for those attending the Water Quality Pre-Conference Tour. For questions about the water quality tour, contact Madeline Schultz at 515-294-0588.