Organic Farming Conference to focus on women on the farm
The eighth annual Organic Farming Conference at The Event Center in Mt. Hope Nov. 9-10 addresses the many aspects of organic farming, with an emphasis on the role of women in farming life.
The organic farm life presents plenty of opportunities for women on the farm to dig in and get involved, and the upcoming Organic Conference in Mt. Hope will have several opportunities designed solely for women to gain insight.
The eighth annual Organic Farming Conference at The Event Center in Mt. Hope Nov. 9-10 addresses the many aspects of organic farming. The role of women in farming life is among the topics.
Yes, most are part of running the dairy and raising produce while also largely being the keeper of the home and all that entails. The conference is aware of this, and besides just practical topics, there also will be sessions catering to the creativity of most women.
On Thursday at 9:15 a.m., Susan Yoder will have demonstrations on how to make home-brewed kombucha. Then at 10 a.m. there will be a ladies’ panel — What We Can Do To Keep Up the Morale on the Farm — with Mary Shetler as the moderator, plus three panelists.
A special feature this year will be Beekeeping for Women by Marion Yoder, who has been a beekeeper for years and former state bee inspector. In the afternoon there will be a sauerkraut and kimchee demonstration by Carrie Laudon at 2 p.m. and a session on Houseplants Made Easy by Kris Kline.
On Friday there will be sessions on Seedstarting by Laura Bowman, Everything Pumpkins by Ada Hershberger, Demonstrating Macramé by Susan Hershberger, Altering Dress and Pants Patterns by Becky Yoder and Ada Troyer, and one more session on beekeeping by Marion Yoder. There also will be many things of interest in the vendor displays in the Organic Home section.
All speakers will have individual tables where they will be available to chat with attendees. There also will be a room available for mothers to feed and/or tuck their babies down for naps. Sleeping cribs and rocking chairs will be included.