Ladies Who Ag kicks off Friday

Press release

A new opportunity to connect with other women and resources in agriculture kicks off Friday, May 12, in Hamilton.

Ladies Who Ag, sponsored by Montana Farmers Union, is a play off of the women-who-lunch idea, providing networking opportunities, as well as information about available resources, to women around the state.

“Many women have leadership or are major decision makers for their farms, so when women get together, it can often become a catalyst for ideas,” said Carissa McNamara, an MFU Ambassador helping organize the luncheons.

The first lunch is planned from noon-1:30 p.m., Friday, May 12, at the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority Conference Room located at 274 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton.

The agenda includes a locally grown lunch prepared by O’Hara Commons & Sustainability Center; updates from MFU; time to network; and information about Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, Ravalli County NRCS, FSA, Ravalli County Conservation District, and Value Added Producer Grant opportunities from USDA Rural Development.

Similar events in other regions of the state will take place in the coming months.

Collaborating with other organizations, such as Montana Farmers Union, brings more perspectives to the table and ultimately helps everyone, said Grace Nichols, who serves as Program Manager for Specialty Crop Business Development at RCEDA.

“It’s amazing to work with all these different organizations. We can extend our reach and what programs we can offer. We can reach more producers,” said Nichols, who is helping organize the May 12 luncheon.

Taking the time to network is crucial to tap into resources and build community, Nichols said.

“I want people to have more connections to other producers and a stronger social safety net,” she said.

Currently, RCEDA is working to address the issue of local food access with an economic analysis of local food in Ravalli County. The project scope includes a feasibility study on the need for a food micro processing center that would include cold storage.

Women who attend the luncheon will provide insight into the analysis project and open the door to answer other questions attendees bring, troubleshoot, and more, Nichols said.

Additional Ladies Who Ag Luncheons already are planned from noon to 1:30 p.m. in June for Central Montana, including: June 2 in Harlowton at the Jawbone Creek Country Club Patio, June 6 in Stanford at the Waterhole Saloon, June 13 in Winnett at the Community Center, June 20 in Malta at the Great Northern, and June 22 in Lewistown at the Brooks Market.

If you support rural communities and agriculture, Ladies Who Ag is for you, McNamara said, encouraging women to attend.

To RSVP for the Ladies Who Ag Luncheon in Hamilton on May 12, call McNamara at 406-333-1886 or email [email protected].

To RSVP for the Central Montana luncheons, RSVP to MFU Ambassador Mary Jenni at 406-380-0051 or [email protected].

For more information, people can visit https://www.montanafarmersunion.com .