9/10/12 - 9/12/12 Chillicothe, Mo “A Slice of The Past”
This is the 18th Annual Women In Agriculture Conference.
The conference is hosted in various locations in Missouri every year.
The torch was passed to Southeast Missouri for the 2013 Conference.
This was an interesting conference. We had a host of vendor displays and information tables set up including: Pampered Chef, Watkins, Fiber to Fabric, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Jewels by Park Lane, Jordan Essential, Thirty-One, Blue Mound, Kowgirls & Treasures, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, Howe So, Sydenstricker, Mo Dept. of Conservation, FSA/USDA, NRCS, Mo Corn Growers Association, Citizens Bank, Farm Credit, Livingston Co Farm Bureau and Pro-Ag Insurance. Monday kicked off with vendors, coffee, soda and snacks then the ladies had a variety of workshops to choose from: Doug Peterson presented Soil Health I and Soil Health II, Janet Hurst demonstrated Organic Cheese Making, Deanna Brennecke presented High Tunnels, Extreme Couponing, Francine's Bakery and C Jon Hickle with the Mo Dept. of Public Health gave a presentation on Tick & Tick Borne Illness. And what can I say but WOW on the Viva Las Vegas & Bling Fling Night of food, drink, bidding and entertainment. The Monday evening entertainment kicked off with a welcome by Chillicothe Mayor Haney followed by Mr. J.R. Flores, NRCS. After the meal the night began with the first ever Bling Fling Auction. There was a host of fabulous gifts that the ladies could toss a quarter into the vase on their table and hold up their number. If your number was drawn you would receive the fabulous gift for 25 cents!! The Bling Fling took a break to unveil more evening entertainment...ELVIS! The shake, rattle and roll was very entertaining as well as many scarves were wrapped around several special ladies' necks. Even Elvis took a short break so the Bling Fling could wrap up, then out Elvis came to finish shaking up the evening. The Hospitality Room and Silent Auction were open after the evening entertainment.
On Tuesday all the ladies loaded onto 3 tour buses to begin the adventure to visit the Litton Agriculture Center and various stops in the Amish community of Jamesport. Each tour bus had an informational video about the Amish community in the Jamesport area. The Jamesport Tours ventured to an Amish working farm, H & M Bakery, County Store and Fabrics, Sherwood Furniture and a German Family Style Luncheon was provided at the Gingerich Dutch Pantry. Time was allowed for the ladies to traipse around Jamesport to visit the many shops and bakeries. For the evening ladies had the opportunity to visit local merchants in Chillicothe and follow a self-guided tour of the murals of Chillicothe. Several merchants choose to stay open late so all the ladies from various areas of Missouri could visit their shops. And as always the fabulous and cozy Hospitality Room and Silent Auction was open for the ladies.
On Wednesday our day began with a nice venue of workshops for the ladies to choose from: Sue Self gave a demonstration on Fiber to Fabric, Beth Widner gave a presentation on How to market & sell produce, Chief of Police Knouse gave a demonstration on Personal Safety and Sheriff Cox gave presentation on Internet Safety. A special closing session was given by Carolyn Miller on Nostalgia Vintage Apparel. This session was adored by all the ladies. Ms. Miller gave the life story of each and every area, including the dress from head to toe. The ending of her presentation was very touching, striking many cords and reaching many women and needless to say, tissues were needed. The Closing Luncheon kicked off the committee thanking everyone for attending the WIA Conference and ended with guest speaker Pat Hufford, NRCS. The lady landowner of the year was awarded to Ann Whitehead. There were many door prizes given away and the biggest reveal was the super grand prize of lodging and flight to Las Vegas!!! The lucky winner of the grand prize was Amy McCrary! Congratulations Amy!! This was such a unique and fun conference for Women In Ag and all of us ladies look forward to next year!
A Slice of the Past Registration Brochure
2012 Women In Ag Gallery
