American Agri-Women Experiences Oregon Agriculture at 35^th Annual Convention

Salem, OR (AgPR), November 19, 2009 -- Oregon Women for Agriculture hosted American Agri-Women's (AAW) 35^th annual convention, in Salem, Oregon, this year, showcasing Oregon agriculture through speakers, workshops, and tours.

Thursday night's speaker Jeanne Carver and her husband, Dan, own the historic Imperial Stock Ranch in north central Oregon where they raise beef and lamb. About 10 years ago when markets began drying up, she became creative, marketing her beef and lamb to high-end restaurants and eventually venturing into wool apparel and fashion. From what she calls "sunlight energy" wool products, Mrs. Carver has successfully entered global fashion and competes in high couture runway shows.

Considering that Oregon is a state with no sales tax, it was interesting to hear speaker Tom Wright report that even in Oregon there is support for the FairTax, which would replace all the other federal taxes with a federal retail sales tax. It would eliminate the federal income tax, estate taxes, capital gains taxes, social security taxes, corporate taxes, etc. He assured this audience of farmers that under the FairTax, all items used on the farm to produce crops and livestock would be considered wholesale items and not subject to the tax.

Another informative speaker was economics professor Dr. David Kohl from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. To get an indication of the economy six months in advance, he advised, "Ask an over-the-road truck driver if he's getting backhauls." Dr. Kohl predicted there would be more minorities and women in agriculture, pointing out that an increasing amount of farmland is owned by females over 65.

A highlight of the AAW meeting was a preview of the first episode of a new American Agri-Women TV show which will soon air nationwide. A schedule of the TV shows and listing of times will be posted on the AAW website. The episode featured an interview with commodity broker Betty Corbin of Towanda, Kansas, and farmwife Susan Dodsworth of Franklin, Illinois. Both women are AAW members.

Like the wearable treasures the Carvers produce from nature, AAW has its own treasures. Named for the bread that rises and permeates the air, two women received AAW's highest honor, the Leaven Award: Vicky Maaske, Horicon, Wisconsin, and Wanda Kinney, Carbondale, Kansas.

The Veritas Award, presented to someone outside of agriculture who speaks for truth, was given to George Taylor. Until recently Taylor was Oregon State Climatologist but disagreed with global warming extremists in the political sphere.

New officers elected at the meeting were 1st vice-president for vital issues Karen Yost, Billings, Montana, and vice-president for communications, Linda Swiercinsky, Maquon, Illinois. Carolyn Kleiber of Hillsboro, Kansas, was reelected treasurer.

Elected to AAW's educational arm, the Resource Center, were Ardath DeWall, Shannon, Illinois, Julie Tesch, Minneapolis, MN, and Jacquie Compston, Wellington, Nevada.

Before handing over her gavel as president, Marcie Williams of Croton, Ohio, selected three members for special recognition: Dolly Lillis of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; Joanna Wilson, Manhattan, Kansas; and Geraldine Ottosen, Junction City, Oregon.

In the installation ceremony Chris Wilson of Manhattan, Kansas, was elevated to the position of president.

Three New National Officers Have Ties To Illinois

Incoming AAW President Christina Mosher Wilson, now of Manhattan, KS, grew up in Knox County, IL, graduated from Yates City High School and Western Illinois University at Macomb and worked for John Block when he was Illinois Director of Agriculture. It was during this time that Chris became involved in Illinois Women for Agriculture and co-edited the organization's newsletter "Speak Out!"

Chris then went with Block to Washington, D.C. when President Reagan appointed him U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 1981. Her title was Assistant for Public Liaison and she travelled from coast to coast speaking out for agriculture.

After marrying a Kansan she met in D.C., Chris and her husband, Ron, moved to Wichita in 1985 where she began a long career in lobbying for Kansas groups, such as Kansas Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Feed and Grain, Dairy, Seed, Ag Aviation and, most recently, Kansas Home Builders Association. She also earned her law degree at Washburn University in Topeka and passed the bar in both Kansas and Illinois.

Balancing her duties during the legislative session with the ag tourism events at her family's diversified farm, she also is a 4-H leader and involved in her children’s many activities. A daughter, Joanna, 17, is well known to IAW members and recently was identified by President Marcie Williams as "a star of tomorrow" when she presented Joanna with one of three President's Awards at convention. Joanna has shown sheep, dairy, hogs and goats but especially enjoys showing llamas.

Chris and Ron's 11 year old triplets, James, Steven and Elizabeth, participate in basketball, scouts and gymnastics, besides raising rabbits, chickens, goats, hogs, ponies and pumpkins. As a family they look forward to fall when city neighbors come out to the farm’s pumpkin patch.

Husband Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd Institute for Rural Development, headquartered at Kansas State University. In recent years he has turned his talents to cowboy poetry and has written two books and released an audio CD.

This busy woman brings to AAW a rich background of agriculture and the ability to organize us to grow in many directions, but she cannot do it alone. As she likes to say, pointing at her "Rosie the Riveter" poster, "We can do it together." We are an all-volunteer group. Will you help?

Also from Illinois: Vice President for Communications Linda Swiercinsky; Secretary Cheryl Day; and newly elected to the AAW Resource Center Board, Ardath DeWall. More info on these ladies to come later.

Watch for our television STARS soon to be seen on RFD-TV! Convention attendees in Oregon were able to preview the first segment featuring Illinois farmwife Susan Dodsworth of Franklin and commodity broker Betty Corbin of Wichita, KS.

We also salute the following Illinois women who have agreed to help Chris with committee assignments:

Jean Payne, Bloomington--Agribusiness Retail chair

Heather Hampton+Knodle, Fillmore--Rural Development chair

Pat Yeagle, Winslow--Rural Health/Insurance chair

Trenna Grabowski, Dubois--Tax Issues chair and History project

Penny Lauritzen, Lanark, and Shirley Bartelt, Polo--Risk Management co-chairs

Ardath DeWall, Shannon--Dairy co-chair, nutrition chair, Ag Women's Leadership Summit co-chair, By-Laws committee, affiliate extension committee, and History project

Ruth Hambleton, Woodlawn --Annie's Project chair

Cheryl Day, Cerro Gordo--Natural Resources coordinator, water resources chair

Pat Lawfer, Stockton--Awards chair

Eleanor Zimmerlein, LaMoille--Editorial committee for Voice and Leaven committee

Janelle Swiercinsky, Mokena--Editorial committee for Voice and Country Store committee

Sarah Wyant, St. Charles--Print Media liaison

Jean Ibendahl, DuQuoin--International Outreach

Helen Henert, Rochelle--History project

American Agri-Women Experiences Oregon Agriculture at 35th Annual Convention

Salem, OR (AgPR), November 19, 2009 -- Oregon Women for Agriculture hosted American Agri-Women's (AAW) 35th annual convention, in Salem, Oregon, this year, showcasing Oregon agriculture through speakers, workshops, and tours.

American Agri-Women Experiences Oregon Agriculture at 35^th Annual Convention

Salem, OR (AgPR), November 19, 2009 -- Oregon Women for Agriculture hosted American Agri-Women's (AAW) 35^th annual convention, in Salem, Oregon, this year, showcasing Oregon agriculture through speakers, workshops, and tours.