AAW President’s Message
August means two things –
harvest preparation and back to school – around our home and farm. Equipment has been cleaned up from wheat harvest. The double crop beans are coming out of hiding from behind wheat stubble. Our sprayer was running for days on end to control weeds and pests. Crop dusters (AKA aerial acrobats) were a common site over corn acres. We were hauling out the last of 2021’s grain and cleaning the bins to prepare for harvest. Like many farmers around the country, we’re experiencing supply shortages on some parts or components of things like the combine head we thought we’d have by June. 
These delays coupled with gas and diesel ranging from $4.80 to $5.90+ in our area the last few months, plus our Symposium on Energy and Ukraine Conversation at Fly-In, teed up my personal interest in our AAW Global Food and Energy Supply Conversation on July 27th. The insight and experience of the speakers is worth watching repeatedly. There are too many takeaways to recount. Please check it out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR4tMatyRnw
Another viewing or listening opportunity related to American Agri-Women can be found at North American Ag. Host Chrissy Wozniak interviewed me about AAW, leadership, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Food and Energy Conversation and more. You can find it on the Media Center link above under AAW in the News title: “American Agri-Women Strengthening the Voice of the People” Podcast.
Meanwhile, our AAW committees have been busy. The Nominating Committee has been vetting candidates. We should all be hearing more in the coming months. The Veritas and LEAVEN Award committees are reviewing applications to prepare for presentations at Convention in November.
Fellow Executive Team members Rose Tryon-VanCott and Laura Hart were at the Syngenta Leadership program alongside other leaders from agriculture. The program took place in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
And now, I’m writing my lists of things to do to prepare for “Back to School.” Between soccer, football, and girls basketball this fall, you are sure to get my
“Top 5 Popcorn” list before Christmas. Also on my “to do” list is to register for AAW Convention and keep working with our other teams on issues, leadership and governance. Our VP of Education, Jacquie Compston and I are curious about what you would like to learn. How can AAW go “back to school” and keep delivering useful and timely information or skills for you? Seriously. Please let us know: education@americanagriwomen.org and aawpresident@americanagriwomen.org.
Wishing you good health and a good outlook.
Sincerely,
Heather Hampton+Knodle, President
American Agri-Women
aawpresident@americanagriwomen.org
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
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
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
