Monthly Archives: February 2014

Announcements

Women in Agriculture Conference

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You can now register for the 2014 Women in Agriculture Conference which offers women in Washington, Oregon and Idaho a unique opportunity to gather in 28 locations for a 1-day event featuring knowledgeable speakers, inspiring stories, practical advice for improving farm management skills and networking with other women producers.”Women are uniquely tasked with the demands of both farm and family, which can make travel to one state location a challenge,” said WSU Douglas County Extension Director and chair of the conference Margaret Viebrock. “The format of this conference enables us to offer our headline speaker at all locations, while also tailoring the conference content for each region.”

This year’s event, “Change Happens: Make It An Opportunity,” covers topics including farm business decision-making, using financial records to improve the bottom line and problem solving for change.

“Last year nearly 500 women attended,” said Viebrock. “Many attendees reported it was one of the best conferences for women producers because it presented practical information they could use right away for handling their finances, communicating with other businesses, networking with other women and improving their business operations.”

This year’s keynote speaker Heather Darby, a seventh generation owner of the 200-year-old Darby Farm in the Lake Champlain Islands near Alburgh, Vermont, will share her strategies for success. The 130-acre diversified farm a produces a wide array of vegetables and fruit, a small apiary, CSA program, farm stand and operates a custom grazing service for local organic dairies.

Heather will discuss how change has been a constant in her operation presenting her with a variety of opportunities related to financial issues, organizational management, employees, starting a family and handling risk management issues related to weather, prices and work-life balance.

The keynote will be broadcast to all 28 conference locations. In addition to the keynote address, each location will feature three local women producers who will share their experiences with change.

This conference is designed for women who have been farming for years, as well as for new and aspiring farmers.

The registration fee is $25 before March 1, and $30 after. Registration includes the workshop, light breakfast, lunch, handouts and a book.

 To learn more, view specific event locations, or to register, visit www.womeninag.wsu.edu.
Announcements

Cold Snap Coming!

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From NOAA:

...VERY COLD AIR RETURNS TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THIS WEEK...

CONFIDENCE IS HIGH IN A PERIOD OF VERY COLD CONDITIONS FOR THE
MIDDLE TO LATTER HALF OF THIS WEEK. CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY
STILL EXISTS IN HOW COLD IT WILL GET. WHILE COLDER AIR WILL
ARRIVE ON TUESDAY...THE COLDEST PERIOD WILL BE WEDNESDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY...WITH THURSDAY LOOKING TO BE THE COLDEST DAY.

EXPECT TEMPERATURES WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO BE AT LEAST 15 TO
20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL IN MOST AREAS. HIGHS WILL BE IN THE UPPER
20S TO MID 30S...AND LOWS WILL BE IN THE TEENS IN THE VALLEY.
EVEN COLDER CONDITIONS WILL BE FOUND IN THE CASCADES.

IN ADDITION TO THE COLD...EXPECT GUSTY EAST WINDS ACROSS THE
AREA...WITH BREEZY NORTH WINDS IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.
THEREFORE...WIND CHILL READINGS WILL DIP INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS IN
THE VALLEY...BELOW ZERO IN THE GORGE...AND APPROACHING MINUS 20 IN
THE CASCADES.

CONFIDENCE IS MODERATE TO HIGH THAT A PACIFIC WEATHER SYSTEM WILL
ARRIVE ON SATURDAY THAT LOOKS TO BRING A PERIOD OF WINTRY WEATHER
TO PARTS OF THE REGION. SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN ARE
POSSIBLE...BUT CONFIDENCE IS LOW ON THE SPECIFICS AT THIS TIME.

RESIDENTS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE CASCADES SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF VERY COLD CONDITIONS. THOSE PLANNING
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SHOULD STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST FORECASTS.