American Agri-Women Gather for 34th Annual Convention in Salem, OR

“Celebrating American Agriculture” is the theme of the annual convention.

American Agri-Women will convene in Salem, Oregon Nov. 12-15, 2009

(SALEM, Ore.) - The heart of the Willamette Valley is putting out the welcome mat for some special women who are dedicated to agriculture, and coming together in Oregon's capital city for their annual event. This time, in Oregon.

The convention will be hosted by AAW affiliate, Oregon Women for Agriculture (OWA). The group is putting on the final touches for the 34th Annual Meeting of American Agri-Women (AAW), coming up November 12-15, 2009.

OWA is celebrating their 40th birthday this year and the State of Oregon is celebrating its 150th birthday.

“Celebrating American Agriculture” is the theme of the convention and will add to the festive spirit of our time together. Women involved in farming operations from throughout the United States will be attending this special event in Oregon.

American Agri-Women is a national coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women. The organization was formed in 1974.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of rural communities across the U.S. Rural communities help maintain a viable economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses, contributing to the tax base and keeping young producers on the farm.

OWA will welcome AAW to Oregon with a fun birthday party during the evening of Thursday, November 12 at the Salem Conference Center in historic downtown Salem, Oregon.

On Thursday evening, visionary rancher Jeanne Carver will share her story of history, land management and sunlight products. She and husband Dan own and operate the Imperial Stock Ranch in the Bakeoven area near Shaniko, Oregon, where, faced with changing markets, and growing pressures from consolidation and industrialization of food and textile products, the economic viability of sheep raising was severely threatened in the late 1990’s.

On Friday, November 13, Dr. David Kohl will keynote the program sponsored by Farm Credit Services, a leading agriculture lender. Dr. Kohl is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Kohl regularly writes for Ag Lender and Soybean Digest.

Friday afternoon is scheduled for farm/ag tours. One stop will be Willamette Valley Fruit to see their individual quick freeze processing plant and watch their crew make frozen fruit pies.

The evening will end at Mission Mill Museum (restored historic site of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill) with a barbeque and entertainment by local Oregon band, the Knox Brothers.

Saturday, November 14, will be AAW business meeting, workshops, banquet, and installation of officers.

Spouse farm/ag tours are planned for Thursday and Saturday. Thursday tours will travel south of Salem and Saturday tours will be in the north and surrounding area.

A one-day post convention tour to the Oregon Coast will be offered. Others may stay an extra day or two, and for a day tour to the Air Museum in McMinnville (where the Spruce Goose is housed) with stops along the way at some nursery operations and wineries.

Welcome to all the American Agri-Women representatives from throughout the United States, the Willamette Valley has a never ending supply of agricultural bounty to behold. More information about OWA and AAW can be found on each organization's websites at www.owaonline.org, www.americanagriwomen.org.