Agenda 2018

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Pre-conference Workshops (optional)

A Farmer's Guide to QuickBooks
This session will provide participants a hands-on introduction to QuickBooks as a farm business bookkeeping program. Participants will receive a printed manual and will be given examples that will allow them to create a sample farm company file, add bank accounts and loans, enter checks and deposits, work with bills (accounts payable), and create and manage invoices. Participants who complete the session should be equipped to begin using QuickBooks in their farm bookkeeping.

Presenter: Mark Dikeman and Amy Boline, Kansas Farm Management Association, Kansas State University
Location: Fort Riley Room, Hilton Garden Inn
Cost: $25 (pre-registration required)
 

Connecting to Consumers: Storytelling and Content Strategy for Social Media
Social media presents farm managers with an opportunity to communicate directly with consumers. The opportunity also presents a series of unique challenges that can be difficult to navigate. The session will guide farm managers through the interactive process of content development for social media outreach through storytelling and brand management. Attendees will also learn about the most engaging content on social media and strategy to optimize content across multiple platforms.

Presenter: Cassie Wandersee, Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement
Location: Big Blue River Room, Hilton Garden Inn
Cost: $25 (pre-registration required)

Thursday, February 15, 2018

All sessions will be in the conference center.

Welcome and General Session - Big Basin/Kaw Nation

General Session

FarmHer

Marji Guyler-Alaniz, president and founder of FarmHer, will share her story of inspiration and finding her passion with FarmHer. From the start of the project to where it is today, Marji will take you along with her on the FarmHer journey, introducing you to the strong, amazing women she has met along the way. Their stories are told through still photographs of everyday work on the farm, mixed with heartfelt videos from her TV show, FarmHer. Through the women of FarmHer you will laugh, shed a tear and most importantly, you will leave knowing your place in the culture of agriculture.

FarmHer was founded in 2013 to begin to change the image of agriculture, to include women in that image through photographs and stories. It quickly became clear that women in agriculture not only appreciated FarmHer, but they needed it. And they asked for more. Today, FarmHer has grown into not just a gallery of images that are changing the way people perceive a farmer or rancher, but also into an online community of women in agriculture, events for these women and a national cable television show, airing weekly on RFD-TV, featuring FarmHers across the country.

Presenter: Marji Guyler-Alaniz, Founder + President, FarmHer

Breakout Session 1

Food Safety for Farmer's Market Vendors - McDowell
Londa Nwadike, K-State Research and Extension

Empowering Young Women in Agriculture - Tuttle
Darcie Gallagher, Communications and Agricultural Education, Kansas State University

Get 'em on the Farm - Alcove
Meagan Cramer, Kansas Farm Bureau

Soil: The Foundation of Nutrition - Konza Prairie
Candy Thomas, USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division

The Ultimate Watch List for 2018 Grain Markets - Kings
Naomi Blohm, Stewart-Peterson

Breakout Session 2

Agriculture Credit Decisions in a Challenging Economic Environment - McDowell
Robert White, USDA Farm Service Agency

Steps to Implementing an Artificial Insemination Program in Your Cowherd - Tuttle
Sandy Johnson, K-State Research and Extension

You Snooze, You WIN! - Alcove
Susan Harris-Broomfield, University of Nebraska Extension

Maintaining Your Role on the Farm - Kings
Jeannie Sharp, Kansas AgrAbility, University of Kansas

Sharing Your Story with Others - Konza Prairie
Marji Guyler-Alaniz, FarmHer

Careers in Agriculture, Full STEAM Ahead for a Great Future - Flint Hills
Cathy Musick, Kansas Foundation for Ag in the Classroom

Lunch and General Session - Big Basin/Kaw Nation

Why Marketing Matters
Often times grain marketing is the final hurdle of excellence to achieve for producers, rather than one of the first hurdles.   Many producers often times would rather become excellent at precision planting, agronomy needs, picking the best seed genetics, or machinery maintenance (you know, “the fun stuff”)  leaving marketing on the back burner with a marketing strategy of simply “hope for higher prices.” Naomi will inspire you to tackle that grain marketing hurdle, and learn how to scenario plan so you can get paid for all your hard work on the farm!

Presenter: Naomi Blohm, Senior Market Advisor, Stewart-Peterson

Networking Session

Agriculture Partners - McDowell
A woman who shares equal work, responsibilities, or decision-making on all aspects of the farm operation with her husband or other partner.

Independent Agriculture Producers - Tuttle
A woman who manages the farm largely by herself.

Agriculture Helpers - Alcove
A woman who participates in agricultural production mainly during the busy times (e.g., harvest, planting, and calving seasons). Main farm activities involve gofering and traditional household chores.

Absentee Landowners - Flint Hills
A woman who owns farmland but is not involved in day-to-day farm production activities.

Agriculture Industry Career Women - Kings
A woman who works in agriculture indirectly through professional service.

Business Managers - Konza Prairie
A woman whose main responsibilities are bookkeeping, information gathering, and financial decision-making, but whose husband or family member is the primary operator of the farm.

Breakout Session 3

Farm Service Agency Disaster Benefits - McDowell 
Blaine Rutherford, USDA Farm Service Agency 

Making Conflict Work for You - Tuttle
Victoria Smith, Smith Mediation and Consulting

Beef Basis and Marketing Tools - Alcove
Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks Extension District, K-State Research and Extension

EPA Water Quality Programs for Ag Communities - Konza Prairie
Heather Duncan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7

What the New Tax Bill Has in Store for Farmers and Ranchers - Kings
Tammy Bryant and Julie Spiegel, Varney & Associates, CPAs, LLC
 

Dinner on your own or in small groups

Evening Event - Big Basin/Kaw Nation

Meals in the Field
Chef Renee will demonstrate quick and easy ways to feed a few important people! This event is hosted by Kansas Farm Bureau.

Presenter: Chef Renee Kelly

Friday, February 16, 2018

Breakfast and General Session - Big Basin/Kaw Nation

Center for Food Integrity

Presenter: Allyson Perry

Breakout Session 4

Steps to a Performing Farm Family - McDowell
Glenn Newdigger, Mark Ploger and Katelyn Barthol, K-State Research and Extension

Biodiesel and Ethanol: What You Need to Know About Alternative Fuels - Tuttle
Ed Brokesh, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University

Social Security: With You through Life's Journey - Konza Prairie
Jenee Hopper, Social Security Administration

Estate Planning for the Family Farm - Kings
Stacey Seibel, Seibel Law Office, LLC

Being Effective when Working with Elected and Government Officials - Alcove
Panel: Katie Sawyer, Sawyer Land and Cattle and district director for Representative Roger Marshall; Barb Downey, Downey Ranch and Kansas Livestock Association president elect; Janet Bailey, Legislative Officer for Frontier Farm Credit

Breakout Session 5

What is This Made From? Uses for Alternative Crops - McDowell
Kevin Donnelly, Agronomy, Kansas State University

What All Agriculturalists Need to Know about Farm Data - Tuttle
Terry Griffin, Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

Staying Active and Independent - Alcove
Sheila Simmons, Assistive Technology for Kansans, University of Kansas Life Span Institute

Tips for Farm and Ranch Families on Budgeting for Health Insurance - Konza Prairie
Debra Wood and Elizabeth Kiss, K-State Research and Extension

Ag Conservation Easement Program - Kings
Bruce Wells, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Lunch and Keynote Speaker - Big Basin/Kaw Nation

Lunchmeat and Life Lessons: Sharing a Butcher's Wisdom
Mary shares what she learned from her father and her career in the people business. She offers advice from the smartest man she ever knew—her father. A butcher by trade, he was the greatest coach she ever encountered. This presentation will help you learn how to inspire and bring out the best in yourself and others by creating meaningful connections in your workplace, networks and personal life. Conference attendees will receive a copy of Mary's book by the same name, and Mary will be available for book signing immediately after the conference.

Presenter: Mary B. Lucas, Author, Speaker and People Connector