Lock In Early Rates for 2018 Convention
Create Your Future. Lead the Field at the 2018 American Agri-Women Convention November 15-18 in Springfield, Illinois. Any woman in agriculture can register for the full experience or one day as her schedule permits.
The event opens with an optional Pre-Tour on Thursday, November 15th to KEL Equine Productions, Brandt Consolidated global headquarters and the interactive Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum that includes the temporary exhibit, “From Illinois to the White House: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama.” Thursday evening will feature a casual dinner and screening of the movie, “Food Evolution” with one of the film’s guest stars.
Friday’s speaker line up kicks off with a welcome by leading wheat breeder Dr. Kim Kidwell in her role as Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. Other general session speakers include leaders in their fields: Dr. Alison Van Eenannaam, livestock geneticist; John Duarte, President of the nation’s largest permanent crops nursery and defendant in a case by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Justice against him for planting wheat in a wheat field; Phillip Seng, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation for almost 30 years was a central leader in opening beef exports to Japan and has worked with more than 100 other countries to market U.S. meats.
Attendees choose among a number of breakout speakers on both Friday and Saturday afternoons. A complete agenda can be found here. In between sessions, attendees can enjoy refreshments, conversation and shopping at a trade show and silent auction from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. AAW members will attend a short business meeting on Saturday morning. Non-member attendees can enjoy tours in the area or local spa services.
The general session at Saturday lunch will feature Julie Borlaug, granddaughter of the “Father of the Green Revolution” Dr. Norman Borlaug and V.P. for Communications and P.R. at Inari Agriculture. Saturday evening closes with inspiring remarks by Dr. Nash Naam about why the United States is his chosen home.
Sunday morning offers an optional, non-denominational worship service led by Sabra Dyas with Main Street Ministries. A post-tour departs for historic route 66, Lock and Dam 26 at Alton, Marcoot Creamery, and a farm tour meal at an Agri-Women member’s home. The tour tentatively plans to tour the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the world.
American Agri-Women have a history of involving their families by often inviting spouses and their school-aged children to participate. While convention attendees hear from Friday speakers, guests will tour Precision Planting and Sinn Turkey Farms at Tremont and Caterpillar Visitors Center and Museum at Peoria.
Families can also enjoy some local sites like the Festival of Trees at the state fairgrounds, games at the destination store of Scheel’s, and walking tours – even a haunted Springfield Tour on Friday night.
Register Now! Hotel accommodations must be booked through the host site, Wyndham City Centre on Adams Street at Springfield.
