New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases 

Date: Sept. 28, 2007
Run Date: Nov. 14
Contact Person: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
T: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
E: rschuelke@nyfvi.org

Northeast Dairy Women’s Conference set for Nov. 15-16 in Albany

Animal care manager, neighbor relations spokesperson, marketer, employee manager and community volunteer. The list of roles women lead on dairy farms is long and varied, and a conference sponsored by the Northeast Dairy Leadership Team hopes to reflect the diverse duties of contemporary dairy women.

The Northeast Dairy Women’s Conference, planned for Nov. 15-16 in Albany, is designed for women farmers, business managers and the agri-service professionals that work with them. Balancing the many professional roles dairy women have is the conference focus.

Hands-on workshops at the William Hanehan and Sons Dairy in Saratoga Springs include maternity pen management, dissecting calf care and farm bio-security.

Additionally, the conference includes a number of speakers, including Roberta McDonald of Cabot Creamery, who will speak about dairy product marketing. Debbie VanderVeen is a partner on a 1,350-cow dairy in Washington and will share her experiences as financial and young stock manager. Liz Doormik is a partner on a 1,700-cow dairy in Wisconsin and runs a consulting business that offer communication and teamwork training.

Leigh Anne Jashway-Bryant is the 2003 winner of the Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Award and a former columnist for Family Circle. She will offer tips on managing stress and using humor in conflict management.

The Northeast Dairy Women’s Conference is coordinated by the New York Center for Dairy Excellence, Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Registration cost is $100. Reservations are due by Nov. 2. Contact the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence at (717) 346-0849 or c-creed@state.pa.us.

Blocks of rooms are reserved at the Century House in Latham and the Hampton Inn Albany/Latham. Century House rooms are $115 per night; contact 888-674-6873. Hampton Inn rooms are $109; call (518) 785-0000.

Carpooling for New Yorkers can be coordinated through the New York Center for Dairy Excellence at (315) 453-3823 extension 103 or rschuelke@nyfvi.org.  – Rebecca Schuelke

New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfarmviability.org.