I recognize that I am in a unique position, and I get to meet and engage with a lot of amazing people in our community. Chief among them are farmers, ranchers and gardeners of all varieties. What is not always talked about is the level at which these humans work and give of themselves back to the land, their families, friends and public at large.
I know a lot of our farmers, ranchers and gardeners are men, but right now I want to put a spotlight on the amazing women in our community. La Plata County and our surrounding counties have a large percentage of women farmers and ranchers who don’t get a lot of attention. Perhaps they prefer it that way, but for a few minutes, I want to (lovingly) push them into the forefront of our awareness.
Rarely are we given an opportunity to stop and take time for ourselves as farmers and ranchers – that goes for everyone that chooses this lifestyle – but as a woman myself, as well as a mother, wife and farmer, I am thrilled to have the ability to create a space.
On March 5 and 6, Colorado State University Extension of La Plata and Archuleta counties are proud to bring a unique conference to the fairgrounds in Durango. While open to everyone, we created an event that will bring together women from around the region to talk about what it takes to move beyond surviving and focus on thriving in this occupation.
For more information, please email me at heather.houk@colostate.edu or visit this link: www.lpcgov.org/womenInAg.
We have Dr. Heather Shotton, president of Fort Lewis College introducing and welcoming everyone together, and one of our keynote speakers Dr. Theresa Larson to help us all find our own resilience through knowing what challenges us and rising to the occasion. Dr. Becky Bolinger, a former CSU Climatologist, will give us tools to better understand the changes in our climate and the effects of that on our land as well as what to do with that information to improve our sustainability practices. The event closes with Beth LaShell, director of the Old Fort, who has a lifelong relationship with agriculture from the Midwest to Colorado and an incredible legacy to share.
Additionally, there will be free child care for any participant who wishes to attend, all meals included during the event will be prepared by local chefs, and there will be a “wellness” room with a massage table and massage chairs, or just a place to take a break and escape the world. We are even providing a dinner and a movie Thursday night to celebrate the amazing work taking place in Colorado’s agricultural community.
Not only will there be amazing keynote speakers but a ton of presentations, workshops and vendors (and of course free goodies) all coming from a place of experience, expertise and wisdom to help us learn how we can take better care of our land and animals as well as ourselves. Everything from ranchers, agriculture business professionals, drone and robot specialists to orchard, veggie and viticulture experts. I am elated to share that we will have amazing women from the Southern Ute farming community to impart their knowledge, history and farming experiences as a true example of resilience.
This is a very rare opportunity for us in the Four Corners region, as this is the third annual Women in Ag conference, but it is a traveling show of sorts. Last year, it was held in Pueblo County and the year before in Weld County. I don’t know when we will have this opportunity again, but what I can promise you is a once in a lifetime conference; open to everyone, of course, but with special attention on the women who make this industry what it is and what it can be in the future.
Thank you and I hope to see you there!
Heather Houk is the Horticulture and Agriculture specialist for the La Plata County Extension Office.
