Women farmers focus of conference

Virginia Cooperative Extension will host the 2009 Women in Agriculture Conference on May 20 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Plecker Workforce Center at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave.

This year's theme is "Fresh Ideas for Virginia Agriculture from Farm to Fork."

Diana Endicott, owner of Rainbow Farms in Bronson, Kan., will deliver the keynote address. Endicott raises beef cattle, vegetables, grain and hay on a 400-acre certified-organic farm, and coordinates Good Natured Family Farms, a group of natural meat and vegetable producers in the Kansas City area. Endicott was a nominee for the newly created position of White House Farmer.

Other speakers include Regina Beidler of Beidler Farm, a member of the Organic Valley Family of Farms in Randolph Center, Vt.; and Kay Hollabaugh, a retail market manager for Hollabaugh Brothers Inc., Fruit Farms and Market in Biglerville, Pa.

To pre-register for the conference, contact extension's Northwest District office at 432-6029 by May 15. The $30 registration fee includes lunch. Walk-ins will be charged $50 at the door. Space is limited to the first 200 registrants.

-- Daily Staff Report