Winter 1998

Happy New Year
Get ready for an amazing year!! 1998 is going to be a year of opportunity for women in agriculture. The 25th Census of Agriculture is underway (see below). This is going to be a great chance for us to begin assessing the increasing impact of women in agriculture. This June, the President’s Interagency Council on Women will be hosting the Second World Conference on Women in Agriculture in Washington, DC. Finally, there are lots and lots of workshops, conferences, and seminars that will help you learn what you need to know. Take advantage of these opportunities coming your way!

Holiday Wedding Bells
We have a new name on our staff roster but the face is familiar.  On Christmas Eve, Debra Browning and Henry Marckres exchanged wedding vows.  We wish both Debra and Henry a lifetime of happiness and adventure.  And to all of you in need of technical assistance, Debra Browning Marckres will continue to be available through the Berlin office.

Make Sure You Count-25th Ag Census Due Feb 2
How many farms are there in Vermont? How much does farming contribute to the local economy? The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently conducting the 1997 Census of Agriculture. This is the 25th national count of farms since 1840. The census focuses on key information: number of farms; farm size; operator characteristics; production sales and production expenses. These numbers will be compared to data reported five years ago.

• What is considered a farm? For Census purposes, a farm is a place which produced and sold (or normally would have produced and sold)$1,000 or more of agricultural products during 1997. In addition to traditional farm products the following agricultural products are also included: nursery and greenhouse products; maple; Christmas trees; mushrooms, honey, horses, aquaculture; wild game; exotic livestock; herbs; flowers and berries.
• Why should I bother to respond? The data that is generated by the census is used in making funding decisions, setting agricultural policy, and forecasting markets and future needs. (Oh...it’s also the law.)
• What if I didn’t receive a census form? If you meet the definition above and did not receive a form then call 1-888-4AG-STAT. If you need help completing the form, contact the WAgN Program Office.

World Conference on Women in Agriculture
In November, Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA, announced the Second World Conference on Women in Agriculture will be held in Washington D.C., June 28-July 2, 1998. The Conference is being sponsored by the President’s Interagency Council on Women. 1,200 delegates from more than 40 countries are expected to attend.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman described the upcoming conference as a milestone event. “When you set out to tackle the issues faced by 25% of the world’s population--rural women--you are really addressing the issues that all of us face. This gathering will provide an opportunity for women in agriculture to gain new skills and knowledge, and I am excited that USDA is going to be taking the lead in its organization.”

The first World Conference on Women in Agriculture was held in 1994 in Australia. It was organized by Australian dairy farmer, Mary Salce, to bring together women in agriculture in anticipation     of the Fourth UN Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The Second World Conference is a follow up to both the Australia and Beijing meetings.  To keep up on the development of this conference you can check out the web page dedicated to the conference at the following address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/icwa/

Much of the program is still in the planning stages and some of you will be invited to help Jill Long Thompson identify issues and concerns at a teleconference being held on January 15. More information will follow as conference details become available.

Trends for ’98
In the most recent issue of The Business of Herbs, Paula Oliver had some interesting things to say about Herb Industry Trends for 1998.  As you page through seed catalogs and business plans dreaming of the season to come, here are a few items from the article to consider.  According to a recent Prevention magazine article, it is estimated that one third of adults in the US are spending an average of $54 annually on herbal health products.  That translates to a 3.24 billion dollar market!!  Unfortunately, the same survey indicates that these buyers still need a lot of education about purchase, use and expectations of herbal health products.

Upcoming Workshops Scheduled
Winter and Spring WAgN workshops are being scheduled now. Again, thanks to a generous contribution from Kraft Foods, Inc., many of these offerings will feature low or no cost registration. Below we have listed the topics and locations:

• “Small Ruminant Nutrition/Management”,
  Wed, Feb 18, 6-9 pm, Morrisville.
• “All About Herbs”, Thu, Feb 26, 5-8 pm, Berlin.

• “Intensive Pest Management Workshop (IPM)”,
  Fri Feb 20, 9-3:30 pm, Randolph, $35.

Previews of Coming Attractions...

Information Sessions.   6-8 pm

• Tue Feb 10 Rutland  Mon Apr 13 Burlington
• Thu Feb 12 Burlington Wed Apr 29  Rutland
• Tue Mar 3 Burlington Wed Jul 1  Rutland
• Thu Mar 19 St. Albans

Growing Places.  Cycle 6 is scheduled for March 7, 14, 21, and 28, 1998, in the Rutland area. Growing Places is designed for individuals considering a farm or ag-related business, especially for those who don’t have much experience in ag. Registration materials will be available in mid-January.

Start Up.  Applications for Fall ’98 Cycles of Start Up will be available soon!!  For more info, call the WSBP office nearest you.
Burlington: 802-658-0337, ext. 372              Rutland: 802-747-9941                                       Lyndon: 802-626-6206

Working Solutions. Seminars for Business Owners:
“Strategic Planning” - January
“Net More Business?  The Internet & You” - March
“Legal Issues” -April
For more info, call the WSBP office nearest you.

Other Related and Interesting Events...
January 28-29, - North American Bramble Growers Associations, Hershey, PA. Contact: Richard Fagan at 301-724-4085.

February 2-5, - 1998 Northeast Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, Sturbridge, MA. This is a terrific opportunity for anyone interested in direct marketing (farmers’ markets, farm stands, pick-your-own operations, subscription farming, etc.) to gain some new skills. After January 10 registration fees will be $90 (plus meals & lodging). For more information, call 413-527-6572.

February 7 - New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar, “Marketing Dairy Goat Milk”. Farm and Forest Exposition, 12:30 - 3:00. Center of New Hampshire-Holiday Inn, 700 Elm Street, Manchester. $5.00 donation suggested. For more information: John Porter at 603-225-5505.

February 21 - NOFA-VT Winter Conference. This conference will again be held on the VTC campus in Randolph. The theme this year is “Farming & Communities: Building a Sustainable Food System”. For more information call: 802-434-4122.

February 28 - 2nd Annual Vermont Grass Farmers Association Conference. Speakers will be Charlie Opitz, Dan Patenaud and Gary Zimmer, all of  Wisconsin. For more information call Sarah Flack: 802-656-3834.

March 20-21 - Second Annual Alternatives in Animal Health Conference, Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT. Whole farm approach to organic livestock management. Speakers will address the relationship between soil health and animal health. For more information: NOFA-VT at 802-434-4122.

April 25-26 - Vermont Maple Festival: Specialty Food Show.   An expanded and improved specialty food show will take place at the Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans on April 25 and 26 at  City Hall auditorium. The cost for the event is $50 per table.  For more information, call Brian Norder at the VT Food Venture Center, 802-849-2000.

The Threefold Educational Foundation Courses, based in Chestnut Ridge, NY, is running a series of Biodynamic Gardening and Environmental Studies courses Feb through April.  They include:

• “Making a (Slightly Different) Beehive”,
• “Pruning Fruit Trees and Shrubs”,
• “Soil Science and the Art of Composting”,
• “Bees in Crisis”. 

For more info,  please call 914-352-5020.

Discussion Group Takes Stock
In early December, members of the Southern VT discussion group gathered around the fire and looked back over what these past six months of meetings have meant to them. They talked of personal benefits such as learning to use cold frames for vegetables and flowers, of forming partnerships to get work done, and of using the expertise and resources of the group to learn from one another.  The group provides stimulation, inspiration, and motivation; it is thought-provoking and energizing.  It is good to have the perspective of other women.  The connection with the group fights loneliness. It is a supportive group for diversified farming.  It is a way to feel connected. It is good to talk with people doing other agricultural things.

If you’d like to join this group, their next meeting will be held at the Bailey Farm in Brattleboro on January 26, 1998.  Call Beverly Bishop at 253-8508 or the WAgN Program Office at 800-435-5634 for information.

New Discussion Groups Forming
In an effort to build community among women in agriculture, WAgN promotes the discussion group model. Although the style and format of discussion groups vary, the common intent is to promote communication and learning from one another. WAgN is planning to continue starting new groups around the state as interest and resources allow. There are also groups being started by the Vermont Grazing Association and UVM Extension. If you are interested in learning more about discussion groups please call the WAgN Program Office.

Two new discussion groups are starting, one in central Vermont (Morrisville/Berlin area) and a second in the Rutland area. An informational meeting for the Rutland group is being planned for the evening of Feb. 17. The next meeting of the Central Vermont group is TBA. For more information on either of these groups contact the WAgN Office.

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WAgN
Women's Agricultural Network
590 Main St., UVM
Burlington, VT  05405
(802) 656-3276
or wagn@zoo.uvm.edu

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, notional orgin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.