At their recent convention, American Agri-Women members discussed issues with women in agriculture from several provinces in Canada at a “Mini-Summit” panel. Issues included trade, immigration as it applies to farm labor, and the Canadian health care system. Delegates participated in workshops and discussions on other issues such as the Farm Bill, renewable energy, maintaining their farm businesses, and the importance of the 2007 Ag Census.
AAW's highest award for its members, the Leaven Award, was presented to Virginia Kutsch of Oregon and Shirley Wilde of Texase. Each year at the convention, AAW’s “Veritas Award” is given to a person who has given public witness to the pursuit of truth about agricultural issues. This year’s winner was Montana logger Bruce Vincent, who founded Provider Pals, a program for classrooms to adopt a logger, fisherman, miner, farmer or rancher as their very own for a year. The kids get videos, letters, photo albums and e-mail from their provider, and once a year he or she visits the school to talk and answer questions.
New officers for American Agri-Women are Marcie Williams, Croton, Ohio, president; Chris Wilson, Manhattan, Kansas, 1st vice president of vital issues; Arlene Kovash, Monmouth, Oregon, vice president of communications; Pat Yeagle, Winslow, Illinois, vice president of education; Lynn Figone-Gallagher, Middletown, California, secretary; and Carolyn Kleiber, Hillsboro, Kansas, treasurer.
American Agri-Women is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women, with 53 state, commodity, agribusiness affiliate organizations and collegiate chapters throughout the country. AAW is an all volunteer organization, working to provide reliable information about agriculture to the public since 1974.
For more information, contact Marcie Williams, President,
president@americanagriwomen.org, or visit the web site at
http://www.americanagriwomen.org.
Contact: Arlene Kovash, VP Communications, 503-838-3512