Women in Agriculture

Facing Life Head On

Carey Portell is a survivor and a thriver, but most importantly Carey is a mom, wife, neighbor, and friend. She and her husband oversee a farm in mid-Missouri where she balances between her speaking events and cattle farming.

As a keynote speaker, Carey motivates and inspires her audiences to break through limitations, learn to believe in oneself, and tap into their higher power as a source of inspiration. Her message teaches us to thrive despite challenges and arrive with an attitude of gratitude on our path to success.

Managing Farm Input Costs

Jena Petersen has spent most of her professional career working within the agriculture industry. Her passion involves assisting producers to take a holistic approach to their success through financial analysis and risk management. She also farms with her husband and children in Clinton County raising corn and soybeans.

Amid surging farm production costs, it is critical for producers to be proactive about finding ways to reduce farm expenses now more than ever. Is money being left on the table as producers face an everchanging landscape. Join me as we walk through key areas for operations to focus on in order to protect the longevity of your business.

The Importance of Self Care/Stress Management

Josie M. Rudolphi, PhD, is an assistant professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Rudolphi’s research quantifies the burden of mental health conditions among agricultural populations, identifies risk and protective factors, and considers socio-ecological interventions. She is the director of the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance, a 12-state collaborative that increases and expands stress and mental health services to agricultural producers, workers, and their families. Rudolphi also directs Illinois AgrAbility, a program of Illinois Extension that provides services, resources, and education to farmers with limitations. She was raised on a corn and soybean farm in east central Iowa and remains as involved in the family operation.

Josie M. Rudolphi, PhD, will describe recent research around farm stress and mental health with specific emphasis on Illinois farmers. She will then discuss resources, programs, and services available in Illinois.

Carbon Markets: A Policy Primer

Lauren Lurkins serves as the Director of Environmental Policy in the Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division and has held that position since May 2013. In that position, Lauren is responsible for advocating on behalf of the organization in the promulgation, implementation and enforcement of environmental regulation impacting Illinois agriculture. Lauren maintains liaison with various state and federal agencies, and develops and coordinates the organization’s environmental programs, communications and information. Beginning in 2006, Lauren practiced environmental law with the law firm of Hodge Dwyer & Driver in Springfield, IL. Her previous experience includes both enforcement defense and legislative/regulatory work in all areas of environmental law on behalf of a variety of clients, including agricultural businesses and individual farmers. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Saint Louis University and earned her law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law, with a focus on environmental law. Lauren and her husband, Matt, have one daughter, Caroline and one son, Julian. They live in Bloomington, IL.

Ms. Lurkins will discuss federal conservation and climate change policy, the latest developments regarding agricultural
carbon markets, and potential opportunities and challengesfor your farming operation.

Overview of Farm Lease Agreements

Ruth Woolery is an associate attorney in the Shelbyville, Illinois office of Rincker Law, PLLC. While not originally a farmgirl herself, since moving back to Illinois in 2019, she has gained substantial experience in
serving the agricultural community by providing legal services to farm clients including estate and succession planning and business entity formations.

Overview of Farm Lease Agreements - Will provide a general overview of farm lease agreements including the basic types of leases, default language, benefits of having a written lease and potential issues that may arise both with and without a written lease agreement.

Connecting with Skeptical Consumers: Strategies to Convince - Not Battle

Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO, provides strategic direction to the organization and oversees its operations along with engaging key stakeholders about the value of animal agriculture and providing guidance to the animal agriculture community about managing various issues, including animal rights extremist activity and campaigns. Hannah joined the Alliance in 2014 and has served in various leadership roles involving communications, issues management and strategic engagement. Her passion for the future of animal agriculture and expertise in farm security, crisis management and effective communication strategies have made her a sought-after spokesperson, speaker and columnist. Hannah holds a B.S. in agricultural communication with a minor in agricultural business and an M.S. in agricultural and extension education from The Ohio State University.

Consumers are disconnected from modern agriculture, and increasingly skeptical when it comes to the use of technology in food production. Building trust is essential to ensuring our ability to keep agricultural technologies in our toolboxes. In this interactive session, we will dig into ways we can connect and engage with – not battle - consumers to build trust and positively move forward.

Through this session, attendees will:
- Understand where today’s consumers receive information about agriculture.
- Evaluate issues and hot topics in agriculture that maybe of concern to consumers.
- Practice having dialogue about modern agriculture.

Partnership and Other Entity Considerations

Ruth Woolery is an associate attorney in the Shelbyville, Illinois office of Rincker Law, PLLC. While not originally a farmgirl herself, since moving back to Illinois in 2019, she has gained substantial experience in serving the agricultural community by providing legal services to farm clients including estate and succession planning and business entity formations.

Partnerships - Will provide a general overview of the different types of partnerships as well as other choice of entity considerations.

Securing the Future of Animal Agriculture: Preparing for Activist Threats

Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO,provides strategic direction to the organization and oversees its operations along with engaging key stakeholders about the value of animal agriculture and providing guidance to the animal agriculture community about managing various issues, including animal rights extremist activity and campaigns. Hannah joined the Alliance in 2014 and has served in various leadership roles involving communications, issues management and strategic engagement. Her passion for the future of animal agriculture and expertise in farm security, crisis management and effective communication strategies have made her a sought-after spokesperson, speaker and columnist. Hannah holds a B.S. in agricultural communication with a minor in agricultural business and an M.S. in agricultural and extension education from The Ohio State University.

Farm security is a concern because of biosecurity, the safety of livestock, safety of people and reputation management. Securing your farm does not mean you have anything to hide – it means you want to protect the safety of your animals, any people who enter your property and your livelihood. Security is more important than ever, as the dairy industry has been aggressively targeted by extreme animal rights groups. In this seminar, attendees will learn about the individuals and organizations behind the animal rights movement, as well as their strategies and tactics to push farmers out of business and remove milk, meat and eggs from consumers’ diets. Next, you learn about what we in agriculture can do to avoid or counter the activists’ tactics. The presenter will share farm and plant security, red flags to watch out for when hiring, how to handle visitor requests and more. Also, you will hear about security considerations for special events and what to do in case of a protest. The presenter will give specific, real-life examples to help the audience become prepared to secure their facility and handle any threats that might arise in the future. Finally, the audience will learn how to be proactive in thisarea and where to go for more resources.

How Agriculture can Lead the Nation During Challenging Times

Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Radke regularly tackles industry issues as a columnist and speaker. A former National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and National Beef Ambassador, Radke has spent the last 15 years on the road fighting for the agriculture, rural America, and the western way of life. She’s gone head-to-head against animal rights activists, environmental extremists, politicians, and celebrities who seek to eliminate animal agriculture. She believes food security is national security, and her work is focused on keeping producers on the land and ensuring every citizen has access to safe, affordable and nutritious food in this country. Radke is the author of seven agriculturally accurate children’s books, and her goal is to help promote agriculturalliteracy in schools. Radke is also a homeschooling mom of four and is determined to teach the next generation about where their food comes from and to celebrate the hard-working people in rural America who provide us with the essentials of life.
Learn more about Radke at www.amandaradke.com.

South Dakota cattle rancher and BEEF Daily blogger, Amanda Radke, challenges listeners to change their outlook in the face of great uncertainties, to look for new business opportunities where it appears none exist, and to pivot in creative and innovative directions in order to add value to their operations while serving as a high-quality supplier of safe, affordable, nutrient-dense food for consumers here and abroad. The overall message here is an empowering, motivating, inspiring theme that will have audiences exploring ways to INNOVATE. PIVOT. CONNECT. SERVE.And LEAD WITH POSITIVITY!