AAW President’s Message
LEAN IN
Lean in. An expression I’ve heard a lot and used a few times. In the context of women in the workplace, it’s been used to encourage us to seek the title and command the salary we deserve. In the context of Agri-Women, I’d like to think of it as leaning into our whole selves.
We have so many talented members. It is inspiring. Many of them farm or ranch full-time. Many of them work full-time jobs in the food and ag. sector. Many of them work full-time jobs in the food and ag sector while also farming.
As I write this, I’m picturing those who are preparing to climb in the cab to haul grain, combine crops, seed fall covers within the next few days or weeks. Many of our members will take their children or grandchildren up in those cabs with them. Teaching, nurturing, modeling safe and hard-working behavior the entire time.
I hope all our members will think about bringing their children and grandchildren to Agri-Women events as well. It’s beneficial for the members to remember aspects of our humanity that we share. It’s beneficial for the children to learn either directly through conversations or by soaking in the surroundings that food and agriculture is everywhere and it takes a lot of people with knowledge and skill to put food on our plates, drinks on the table, clothes on our backs, fuel in our cars.
Our oldest son turned 20 in September. When he was two months old, my husband and I drove 24 hours one way to Maine where I was installed as Secretary for American Agri-Women. [Note to members with young children: if it is more than a 6-hour drive, book the flight.]
In the photos below, you see us on one of our many pitstops and you see the installed officers. The image I was not able to find was when our son LIT UP as AAW President Kathy Reavis talked with him after one of the meeting sessions. Arms and legs waving wildly, gurgling, giggling. It looked like love at first sight.
He attended countless state meetings, at least four AAW Fly-Ins and numerous Mid-Years and Conventions with me. Then 16 years after Maine we hosted the post-Convention tour at our house and it was touching to see him look forward to greeting and visiting with members from around the country.
He’s now at college, still farming with us, and working a part-time job for a farmer as well as running his water hauling business. He’s also having more meaningful conversations about what we do, how and why we do it with people of different backgrounds and worldviews.
When we as Agri-Women lean in, we bring our whole selves and our families with us. And that’s how we ultimately change the world – one meeting, one smile, one conversation at a time.
Keep leaning in,
Heather Hampton+Knodle, President
American Agri-Women
aawpresident@americanagriwomen.org
Each year in November, American Agri-Women hosts a National Convention to bring members and affiliate members together for leadership and professional development sessions, speakers, and to host our annual business meeting.
Mark your calendar for the 48th Annual AAW Convention
November 2 – 6, 2022
Do you hear them? The Mountains are Calling, the mountains in Bozeman, Montana, to be specific. Join Montana Agri-Women as they host the American Agri-Women National Convention on November 2-6, 2022.
Montanans like to say our state is easy to get to, hard to leave. Travel is effortless because most major airlines fly into Bozeman, Mont., at relatively inexpensive fares. Traveling continues with ease as the host hotel, The Best Western GranTree Inn, offers a complimentary shuttle from the airport and a favorite spot for locals and visitors: Bozeman’s quaint yet vibrant Main Street located downtown, Bozeman. This option is perfect for attendees who wish to enjoy Bozeman’s unique foodie experience and niche shopping opportunities.
The convention will showcase the beauty of Montana and what it means to be in Montana agriculture. Before the usual AAW business meetings, Montana Agri-Women plan to start convention with style at the “Meat & Greet.” Notice the “meat” may look like an error, but it is the correct reference to the kick-off event. Attendees will be right in the middle of Beef Country, and what better way to welcome AAW members and guests than with some tasty beef treats. This “ladies’ night in” will also offer many unique vendors specific to fashion with a networking style show.
No convention is complete without tours, and Montana Agri-Women created a diverse educational tour during convention and post-convention. Both tours will give participants a glimpse of the western way of life, from barley to beef and everything in between. The post-tour allows learning a little about American royalty – The Copper King and underground tours in Butte, Mont. The post-tour concludes with an evening and an overnight stay at a Montana favorite, Fairmont Hot Springs.
The convention is packed with speakers between the tours, including a panel specific to reaching urban audiences and telling our unique agricultural story. Other speakers include experts on Montana natural resources, grizzly bears, and a featured inspirational speaker. Follow Montana Agri-Women’s social media for future speaker spotlights. During the AAW business meeting, tours are available for guests and spouses, including the Agricultural Science department and farm, through Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies.
Arrangements for this convention would not be possible without the generous support of our Granite Peak partners, Alltech and Northwest Farm Credit. Alltech helps farmers and ranchers feed the world, raise healthy plants and animals, and protect the environment through nutrition and scientific innovation. Northwest Farm Credit works to improve the lives of customers and employees, the communities where they work and raise families, and the Northwest agriculture, food, and fiber industries that perform a vital role in the United States and around the world.
We hope you answer the call and meet us in Bozeman this fall.
Contacts: Meghan Foran, meghanforan@outlook.com
Kellie Kittelmann, kellie@nutralix.com
Katie Yost, katie@nutralix.com
American Agri-Women Fly-In to Washington, DC!
Women in agriculture from throughout the U.S. recently gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 36th Annual American Agri-Women (AAW) Fly-In to D.C. and the 27th Annual Symposium. After a two-year absence due to COVID restrictions, the group met with elected officials and policymakers to discuss critical issues, including environmental social and governance (ESG), trade and supply chain, land use, taxation, energy and mining, and the 2023 farm bill recommendations.
This year’s 27th annual Symposium, by the AAW Past Presidents Council, “Energy: Rebirth, Renew, Refuel,” featured panelists on renewable energy Kathy Bergren, National Corn Growers Association, Paul Winters, Clean Fuels Alliance America, and Hillary Leach, John Deere Electric Equipment. The Symposium moderator was Jeff Nalley, Agri-Pulse.
Also on the itinerary was the presentation of the coveted AAW Champion of Agriculture Award. This honor recognizes a member of congress who has displayed exemplary courage in presenting and supporting legislation promoting American agriculture, rural American lifestyles, and the U.S. Constitution. The 2022 recipient is California 1st District Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Advocating for agriculture, the AAW Fly-In was an opportunity for AAW members to engage in a roundtable format with leaders from the USDA and EPA that interact and regulate farming and ranching. Members also met with their congressional representatives and senators to discuss how laws and regulations impact agricultural operations and businesses. The unsustainable cost of fuel and energy down the supply chain was included in these discussions, along with labor shortages and regulatory overreach.
American Petroleum Institute (API) hosted the group where members met with Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Amanda Eversole.
A highlight of the 2022 AAW Fly-In was the Special Event arranged by Mitzi Perdue and Ruth Jensen at the National Press Club. Members participated in discussions with national security experts on the Russia-Ukraine War: A Looming Food Supply Crisis and other significant threats facing the food supply around the world.
“These high fuel costs hit rural areas even harder because people often drive farther for work, healthcare, groceries, and other services. Yet, these are the same people our country and much of the world rely on to produce food, fiber, and renewable fuels,” stated Heather Hampton-Knodle, AAW president. “Our meetings are also an important way we educate legislators and policymakers.”
Enjoy a few photos here
Support American Agri-Women by Becoming a Partner or Event Sponsor
Please contact the AAW President at aawpresident@americanagriwomen.org
AAW has partnered with Nepris
AAW has partnered with Nepris, to connect industry professionals with K-16 classrooms, so that students see the relevance of what they are learning in school. Nepris connects educators with a vast network of industry professionals to engage students in their learning, expose them to diverse career role models, and prepare them for their future.
Bridging the Gap
Getting on Board
Signing up for Nepris is easy:
1) Go to nepris.com/join/american-agri-women
2) Sign up for a free account
3) Browse the platform and set up an industry chat
