MFU Women's Conference held

from Montana Farmers Union

Nearly 70 women connected over topics ranging from mental health to entrepreneurship to fitness to the rural brain gain to social media marketing during the ninth-annual Montana Farmers Union Women’s Conference.

The conference, held Feb. 4-6 at Fairmont Hot Springs, provided opportunities for professional development and networking through panels and speakers tackling hot topics in agriculture and rural communities, organizer Rachel Prevost said.

“Women are the strongholds of our rural communities and this conference celebrates that. To hear from women from all across the state on how they are working in wide varieties of rural entrepreneurship to better reach consumers with their products was impactful as we continue to work on increasing local food processing and access across Montana,” Prevost said.

The themes of connection and community ran throughout the conference, whether the need for connection when battling through mental health challenges or when creating a new business venture.

“It’s so life-giving to bring you all together,” said Amber Smith, who leads Women in Ranching.

Creativity is key to the future of agriculture, Smith said during her keynote address, adding that traditional values can be continued in non-traditional ways.

More seats at the decision-making table, non-traditional stakeholders and new relationships that bring more creativity, experiences, knowledge and talent must be part of the future of agriculture, she said.

“You all are already here, but we actually need you at the decision making table,” Smith added.

“Women must unapologetically acknowledge skills and talents in themselves and others and mentor each other. Each of us has one life to live into so why not live it to the very fullest,” she challenged attendees.

Planning committee member Tammy Copenhaver said the conference, for her, is all about camaraderie and connections with like-minded women, whether you farm one acre or thousands.

Copenhaver said she hopes each woman “learned, met someone or tried something new” during the conference, which provides a safe environment in which to share ideas and creativity.

“I loved it,” Holly Carpenter said.

Carpenter, whose farm and ranch is in Melrose, came to the conference to network as both a producer and a commercial lender at Clearwater Credit Union.

She said she left full of excitement about possibilities to incorporate special needs workers onto her family’s operation – something she said has been a longtime dream of hers.

“It just got me really excited about getting stuff done,” she said.

Prevost said MFU is looking forward to next year’s conference and to providing another inspirational space for Montana women to gather and discuss all things rural and agriculture.

Between now and then, Prevost said, attendees can connect on the “Women of Montana Farmers Union” Facebook page or through local MFU chapters. 

Montana Farmers Union has worked more than 100 years for family farms, ranches and rural communities. MFU supports its members through: Strong education programs for both youth and adults, by advocating member-driven policies and legislation at the state and federal level, and cooperation through producer-owned co-ops. For more information, people can visit http://www.montanafarmersunion.com .