Mark Your Calendar
February 5-6, 2010 IAW Annual Meeting, Joliet Community College, Joliet, IL
March 16, 2010 Ag Legislative Day, Springfield, IL
April 9-11, 2010 AAW Midyear Meeting, Denver, CO
April 16, 2010 Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Career Day, Bloomington Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL (see Careers page)
June 16, 2010 Ag Legislative Roundtable Meeting, Springfield, IL
News
For upcoming IAW meeting information and for previous meeting highlights, go to the State Meetings Tab.
For AAW meeting and convention information, go to the National Meetings Tab.
IAW Members featured in AAW TV Show--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 C. of Towanda, Kansas, and farmwife Susan D. of Franklin, Illinois. During Dodsworth’s interview the members of Illinois Agri-Women communicating with State Lawmakers will also be highlighted. Heather H., Shirley B., and Penny L. were also interviewed on the farm during the taping of the AAW TV Show. The AAW TV Show was made possible through the Risk Management Agency’s Community Outreach and Partnership. The show will air on RFD TV and a schedule will be released very soon. Stay Tuned!
Women At The Reins: Farm Memories Based On The Collection "From Mules To Microwaves"--History books generally ignore or minimize the contribution of women in the development of agriculture; however, many farms and ranches would have gone belly-up without the strong faith, undying spirit and stubborn determination of the women. This book contains a compilation of non-fiction stories about rural life, collected as a special project by the American Agri-Women. This project, From Mules to Microwaves, preserves the oral and written histories of rural women in order to document history from the woman's perspective. Print out the flyer HERE or order your copy today at www.heritagebooks.com.
American Grown Goodness--American Agri-Women (AAW) has established a trademark program, American Grown Goodness, which is designed to provide a way for growers, processors and marketers to identify their American grown products. Producers can either print the American Grown Goodness logo on the packaging of American grown products or adhere a small sticker to fresh or packaged products. A brochure on American grown products is also being produced by AAW. The American Grown Goodness program will be featured on a future episode of the American Agri-Women TV show to air on satellite and cable networks in 2009. To learn more about this program and encourage your local producers and companies who might be interested in this program, go to americanagriwomen.org. The application for the American Grown Goodness program can be accessed from the link at the top of the homepage. AAW is also developing a database of such companies and would welcome information about companies interested in being included in this database. Please send this information to agg@americanagriwomen.org.
Croplife Ambassadors Needed--Croplife Ambassador Network (CAN) is the educational community outreach program of the Mid America Croplife Association. It provides free speakers to present scientifically-based, accurate information to the public regarding the safety and value of American agricultural food production. The goal of CAN is to place agriculture producers and professionals in the classroom across the Midwest to share positive messages about American agriculture. Currently, the network received hundreds of request and has 300 active , informed Ambassador Volunteers but the program is looking to expand. In Illinois, ambassadors are especially needed in the Chicago and Peoria area. You do not have to be a professional speaker just very knowledgeable about the material you present to participate. CAN provides presentations and materials needed for the classroom visits. To learn more about the Croplife Ambassador Network visit the CAN’s website: http://ambassador.maca.org or contact Janet Braun at janet@maca.ccsend.com
IAW Membership Dues--IAW annual membership dues are due March 15 every year. Dues can be paid at the annual meeting or mailed to the Membership Chair Susan D. Please note the dues have increased to $50. Thank you for your continuous support of IAW. Go to the membership page for more information.
Scholarships available for Agri-Women events--Scholarships are available for members interested in going to AAW events throughout the country. Contact IAW Treasurer Linda G. at lindag@jisp.net for information. Print out a copy of the form HERE. Application forms for AAW scholarships can be found at the www.americanagriwomen.org website. Any application for an AAW or AAW Resource Center-sponsored scholarship, must be reviewed by the Illinois Agri-Women Executive Committee prior to submittal because in some cases they are limited to the number of applicants each affiliate state can submit. Please submit your applications to the IAW Executive Committee, through Heather H., at least 30 days ahead of the AAW deadline.
Vision for Illinois Agriculture--The Illinois Agriculture Legislative Roundtable has identified the need to develop a vision to grow and enhance the Illinois food and agriculture industry. A planning team has been formed that represents various sectors of agribusiness and production agriculture in Illinois. Planning team members represent sectors ranging from agriculture equipment, agriculture finance, biosciences, food and agriculture processing, production agriculture, agriculture energy, specialty agriculture, academia, and state government. The goal of the vision project is to identify and develop strategies that will enhance and grow the competitiveness of Illinois food and fiber industry. IAW is proud to be a secondary sponsor for VIA. Heather H. represented IAW on the planning committee. To learn more, go to www.illinoisagriculturevision.org.
IAW has opportunities to get involved--Choose from three ways to increase your involvement in IAW. 1. Participate in any of the calendar of events listed above. 2. Serve as a committee chair for the next 24 months. 3. Serve as a regional coordinator for the next 24 months. If you have a passion for a topic related to agriculture, contact IAW President Cheryl D. to discuss your interest and your background.
IL Ag Legislative Day--Every March, IAW joins four dozen Illinois agricultural organizations in sponsoring an annual legislative event. This annual initiative is a collaboration of farm, trade, and commodity organizations whose leaders meet with members of the Illinois General Assembly to urge passage of legislative initiatives key to agriculture. While not all groups agree on all issues, the organizations jointly push for passage on issues of common ground. The day begins with an early breakfast with legislators at the State Capitol. After breakfast and a concise briefing on current legislative events, participants make personal visits with assigned legislators. The IAW Officer team encourages members to participant in this event. Click HERE to see our 2009 Ag Week commercial.
National Agricultural Week--National Ag Day is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country and is part of National Ag Week (every March). Why Celebrate Ag Day? Americans need to understand the value of agriculture in their daily lives. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to: understand how food and fiber products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.
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