AWA NEWS
Women Shape Future at Ag Leadership Summit
Women in agriculture, ranging from college students to industry professionals, gathered on Friday, October 23, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison for the first-ever Women’s Ag Leadership Summit, presented by the Association of Women in Agriculture.
This day-long program, open to all women involved in or with an interest in agriculture, included a dynamic breadth of presenters with diverse backgrounds who provided insight to women on learning, networking, and leadership.
The morning provided women with inspirational messages. Laurie Benson, CEO at Innacom, presented her story and seven lessons learned along the way, while encouraging everyone to give to others. Gabriela Gebrin Cezar, Assistant Professor at UW-Madison for the department of Animal Sciences, also spoke. Cezar educated everyone, talking about driving innovation in a technical world, and challenged them to have passion for what they do.
Molly Jahn, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at UW-Madison, continued the enthusiasm after a lunch full of networking. Jahn left women in attendance with the same message she taught her kids, to “work hard and know how to be grateful.”
Breakout sessions continued the afternoon, with panels of successful women sharing their stories and answering questions about their career paths. Two additional breakout sessions included ‘Using Baler Twine & Barn Lime to Identify Your Values & Design Your Life Plan’ by Laura Daniels, Producer and Nutritionist at Vita Plus, and ‘Wading Through the Wired World: Best Technology for You’ by author Kati Krueger.
The final session, ‘Life Lessons from 3 Unstoppable Women,’ was a perfect way to end the event. Three unbelievable women shared their stories, aspirations, and goals, while motivating the entire room.
Susan Lampert Smith, writer for UW School of Medicine and Public Health, said she enjoys “communicating what’s great about Wisconsin life.” Smith explained that she has kept connections in many worlds while staying planted to where she comes from and knowing when it’s time for a change. “Be true to your own style,” she said. “My first grade teacher once wrote ‘Susan runs around the room and bothers others while they try to work.’ That’s exactly what I do today in journalism. Some things never change.”
“My job now is the best job, and I’m lucky to have it,” said Debbie Crave, Vice President of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese. A former Alice in Dairyland (1981-1982), Crave continued her career path by working for the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board before joining forces with her husband, George, in 2001 at Crave Brothers Cheese. Crave’s core values revolve around her family. “Supporting and being involved in a family business is very important to me,” she remarked. “Of great value is the relationship George and I have to use each other as sounding boards – discussing people, issues, strategies, ideas for marketing, etc.”
“I feel very lucky to be in this room with these women – are we good or what?!” Sue Crane, with WE Energies, exclaimed. A woman of change, Crane began working as a nurse for 16 years, before going back to school to get her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. “Prepare for change,” she said, “Change is a stumbling block for your future.” Having worked for a few different companies and serving on several boards, Crane commented, “I love a challenge. I look for challenges as opportunities.” Crane closed leaving women with these words, “There is always something right down the road for each of us, and all we have to do is look for it.”
Other presenters who helped women shape their future in agriculture at this year’s summit included: Krista Knigge, Charleston Orwig – Senior Account Executive, Jane Griswold, Hoard’s Dairyman, Jennifer Vincent, Kraft Foods, Janet Keller, Accelerated Genetics, Barb Steiner Mickelson, Harlan Laboratories, and Gena Kurth, Medical Student at UW-Madison.
The Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA), the sponsor for this event, was established in 1973. The purpose of AWA is to help members prepare for a career in agriculture and agricultural related fields; to aid women in agriculture in achieving their goals, to improve communication among women in agriculture and for the general betterment of agriculture.
