The 2016 MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture Conference will be held at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, DE on Thursday, February 11th. Once again this year, we will be offering a pre-conference on Wednesday, February 10th. Follow us on FACEBOOK(link is external) to get conference updates and much more delivered right to your news feed!
WIA Special Guest Room Rate is $139 Room Reservations must be made by Monday, January 11, 2016 to receive the discounted rate
To receive the discounted rate contact Dover Down's Reservation Department: 866-473-7378
SAVE WITH EARLYBIRD PRICING ~ REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE
February 10, 2016 - PreConference ~ 2 Workshop Topics to Choose From ~
1 p.m. - 5 p. m.
GMO 101 Workshop-
GMO crops have been around for 20 years but we don’t seem to be becoming more familiar and comfortable with them – in fact, it seems like in spite of all the conversations about GMOs, they are becoming more foreign!
An increased focus on GMOs through media coverage, ballot initiatives, and advocacy group activity has caused a widening gap between what both farmer and consumers thought they knew, and the information they’re now hearing.
Join this pre-conference activity to explore the science that allows us to create GMO crops, and how they come to market. Get an overview of what consumers think, who consumers want to hear from and models and tips for communicating about this often polarizing topic from Roxi Beck of the Center for Food Integrity.
Our goal is to give you a knowledge base and training to empower you to speak out confidently on the topic through interpersonal, social media and news media channels.
Employee Management Workshop
Employees can be the lifeblood of your agriculture business, but they can also provide your biggest challenge. If you currently have employees, or have been considering adding a work force to your organization, this preconference is for you!
This session will explore the entire process of farm employee management from acquiring the employees that best fit your organization, to enhancing the skills of your current workforce through performance training and clear expectation setting. Along the way we will examine legal regulations in the hiring and firing process, review payroll options, and discuss effective communication strategies.
February 10, 2016 - Harness Racing Reception
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Stay Late, Come Early ~ Included in the price of the Preconference Ticket OR the Main Conference Ticket you are invited to join us for our Harness Racing Reception.
February 11, 2016 - Main Conference
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Keynote Presentations - Will be Announced Soon!
Breakout Sessions - Topics will include:
Protecting Your Farm: Landowner Liability and Agritourism Issues This presentation will address the different people that may come on your property, whether they are visitors or trespassers, and what kind of duty as the landowner you owe these individuals. Additionally, if you operate a U-pick operation or other sort of agritourism business, this presentation will speak to what options you have in limiting your liability to these visitors, such as a liability waiver. Speaker Ashley Newhall
Understanding Your Property’s Full Potential To understand your property's full potential you must first understand how your property is titled and the legal implication of that title. The other key to your property's potential value is its zoning designation. This presentation will include a primer on how property is zoned, the mechanisms that can be utilized to add and/or adjust allowed zoning uses and the role of a comprehensive zoning plan. Speaker: Sarah Everhart
Preparing for the Transition: What to consider when developing your farm transition plan or estate plan A farm transition plan is an integral part of your farm business, along with your estate plan. Sadly, many farmers have not sat down and developed either plans. This presentation will help you get started in developing your transition or estate plans to better prepare the next generation to taking over the family farm. Speaker: Paul Goeringer
Specialty Crops and Farm Diversification Farm diversification opens opportunity and increases potential profitability! Adding specialty fruit and vegetable crops to your farm can increase profit margins several ways. Like diversifying in the stock market, engaging in more than one enterprise and adding value to what you already grow will spread profit risk, not to mention “growing” interest in locally produced foods. This talk will introduce attendees to some new potential specialty crops, discuss new federal regulations to be aware of and regional research that has been done with specialty crops over the past few years. Speaker Dr. Andrew Ristvey
For more information and to register:
http://extension.umd.edu/womeninag/2016-annual-conference
Victoria Corcoran, vgc@umd.edu
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