Women in Agriculture Event Scheduled for March in Wisconsin

Jan 23, 2025
By Farms.com

VITAL program supports women in farming with expert talks

The Extension Women in Agriculture Program will be held on March 7 at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The VITAL (Valuably Informed Thriving Agriculture Leader) program is designed to recognize and support women in farming and agribusiness.

Running from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the program provides a full day of learning, networking, and skill development.

Highlights include discussions on automation adoption in dairies, estate planning for farm transitions, and calf transport readiness. Attendees can also engage with a panel on sharing farm stories through social media, featuring experienced voices in agriculture.

Dr. Donald Sockett, DVM, will present new concepts in colostrum feeding for dairy calves, while breakout sessions offer insights into employee retention and managing stress in farming. These sessions aim to equip women with practical tools and strategies for success.

Dairy educator Angie Ulness emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “This is a chance for women to learn, connect, and grow while taking a well-deserved day away from the farm.”

The registration fee is $30 before February 25, increasing to $35 afterward. This includes a farm-to-table meal, meeting materials, and refreshments. Register online at Extension Manitowoc County by calling 920.683.4183 or visit online https://go.wisc.edu/vital2025

Women in agriculture are encouraged to attend and bring friends, family, or employees. For further inquiries, contact Angie Ulness at 920.683.451 or Aerica Bjurstrom at 920.388.7138.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.