BROOKINGS – More than 120 young women in agriculture are gathering today for the Grow by FarmHer event at the Swiftel Center to connect with peers, learn from industry leading professionals and engage in empowering messages.
Women ages 16-22 are joined by successful professional women in agriculture at a day-long conference in Brookings to learn, grow and find inspiration and empowerment for young women pursuing an education in agriculture.
“We wanted to create an environment where women can celebrate their interests and ability to be a part of this diverse industry,” said Carly Cummings, FarmHer events and merchandise manager.
FarmHer has partnered with South Dakota State University, as well as many other agricultural companies to make the event possible.
Mary Christensen of SDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has helped prepare the event to provide insight on campus and in the Brookings community, as well as bridge communication.
“I got excited because I have had a handful of students who took initiative to go to Grow events, and they come back empowered and inspired,” Christensen said.
Besides the SDSU students, many 4-H and FFA members from the area are also attending the conference.
Nine campus ambassadors were chosen to recruit other students who might benefit from the Grow event. Ambassador Katriona Roy, a junior agriculture communications major, played an influential role in helping Grow get to Brookings.
“I had heard of FarmHer and loved what they were doing,” Roy said. “I reached out to the founder, Marji (Guyler-Alaniz), for a South Dakota FFA event and while she wasn’t able to attend that event, she was still willing to be a part by sharing a video with advice.”
From there, Roy stayed in contact with the staff at FarmHer, which eventually led to helping connect SDSU and FarmHer to join forces and host this GROW event.
Roy said that while she has never attended a FarmHer event, she feels “inspired to be something bigger in the industry” following interaction with anyone who has been to a FarmHer event.
The “Women Leading the Way” luncheon likely will be a highlight for attendees today. About 30 local women in agriculture have been asked to join roundtable discussions with aspiring young women in agriculture.
“This is an opportunity for young women to take control of their future paths,” Christensen said of the event.
South Dakota native and CBS “Survivor” finalist Holly Hoffman will give one of the keynote addresses, along with FarmHer founder, Guyler-Alaniz.
Tuesday’s event will be the first of three stops on the Grow tour, with the others in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Ankeny, Iowa, on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
