Message from the President

Daily Dose of Hope

Hope is what drives perseverance and leads to innovation.  Hope keeps us investing in our local communities and in something bigger than ourselves.  And I contend it is a precious element, much like a rare metal, that has reciprocal properties.  Similar to gratitude.  When we give thanks, we receive more blessings.  When we share hope, it finds a way of coming back to us through unexpected sources.
In the midst of planning and hosting the “A Secure Food Supply Equals National Security” webinar; of having interviews with the Chicago Tribune, National Public Radio, North American Ag; of scheduling visits with potential sponsors and collaborative partners; of convening our AAW Farm Bill Task Force to continue work on crystalizing our vision for a 2023 Farm Bill; of drafting comments then circulating to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs about the WHO CA+ Zero Draft; of commenting in favor of Congress passing a bill to allow the use of fire retardants in fighting forest fires without acquiring permits; booking a Skyhouse location for Monday 6/5 lunch at AAW Fly-In; of working with fellow officers on some exciting projects like the Deck of Cards, the RFD Television studio tour, and a training on how to get our message out to more decision-makers; and a whole lot of other things, Hope found me in three locations outside of our home…
A 4-H member who fought against her own anxiety and sought permission from her Tae Kwon Do master to share forms and self defense tips (using me as her test subject) at a local meeting of women.  She is a beekeeper and junior 4-H leader with both a warrior’s and a servant’s heart.  Hope welled up to see her rise to the occasion and be such an effective trainer and interactive teacher with the group.

Hope snuck up on me again at the professional development event hosted by Illinois Agri-Women.  They asked me to deliver the training portion of the program (Light it Up!), which was an honor.  The bonus dose of hope came from visiting with a number of collegiate women studying agriculture who were assisting with the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event.  And Hope abounded as I visited with two state FFA officers, who I’d “trained” last August in an animal ethics session, about conversations they had been leading with their peers on Illinois state FFA policies.  Their maturity and insight showed wisdom beyond most people’s years. The event itself was invigorating to get to see many friends from IAW as well as renew friendship with AAW past president Trenna Grabowski’s daughter, Liz Rodgers, who is now working in Michigan.

And the third revealing of Hope came as we group of five judges, out of more than 100 volunteers at the District FFA proficiency and Star awards contest, interviewed five candidates in swine entrepreneurship.  Each one unique and accomplished in different ways.  But one candidate not only had impressive technical knowledge as a high school senior, he lit up when asked about a volunteer activity he’d listed on his application.  He assists with financial literacy and tutoring for at risk students at an after school teen center in his community.  In addition to managing his enterprise and growing his knowledge plus his own extracurricular activities, he was most excited about helping others.

Here’s to Hope finding you in unexpected ways in the coming weeks!

Sincerely,

Heather Hampton+Knodle
American Agri-Women President

American Agri-Women Fly-In to Washington, DC!

2023 AAW Fly-In Itinerary

Mark your calendar: June 4 – 7, 2023 ~

Book your stay at Embassy Suites National Airport

Register here: AAW FLY-IN ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM

AAW FLY-IN PRINT OUT REGISTRATION FORM

Women in agriculture from throughout the U.S. will be gathering in Washington, D.C., for the 37th Annual American Agri-Women (AAW) Fly-In to D.C. and the 28th Annual Symposium.

Members will have opportunity to meet 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.

The theme for this year’s 28th annual Symposium, hosted by the AAW Past Presidents Council will be “Border Security & Food Security Equals National Security” and will feature a distinguished panel of experts you will not want to miss.

Also on the itinerary are roundtable discussions with leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the United States Department of Agriculture. We will discuss how laws and regulations impact agricultural operations and businesses. The unsustainable cost of fuel and energy down the supply chain will also be included in these discussions, along with labor shortages and regulatory overreach.

An AAW agricultural visit to Washington, DC is not complete without an Embassy visit. This year we are arranging a cultural and trade visit with the Embassy of Italy.

To wrap up our Fly-In, American Agri-Women will host a Congressional Reception at the U.S. Capitol at which time we will present a member of the House and Senate with our prestigious 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.

 

Contact: Laura Hart  or  Ruth Jensen

 

                                              Enjoy a few photos here

 

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