'Ag Tag' Donations Help Fund Kentucky Women in Agriculture Conference

FRANKFORT (March 25, 2019) — Kentucky motorists who voluntarily donate up to $10 to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA’s) “Ag Tag” program when they buy or renew their farm vehicle license plates helped fund an organization dedicated to increasing the number of women involved in the agriculture industry in Kentucky last year.

The KDA donated $5,000 from Ag Tag funds to sponsor the 2018 Kentucky Women in Agriculture (KWIA) Conference last October at Cave City Convention Center. The first day of the two-day event included speakers, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities; an awards luncheon; and an informal dinner. A farm tour followed the second day.

“The generous monetary support of $5,000 from the KDA has benefited our organization and the agricultural women of the Commonwealth greatly,” said KWIA President Lindie Huffman. “The annual conference is our biggest event that brings women from all across the Bluegrass together for workshops and seminars that focus on the diversity of not only being ladies in agriculture, but the diversity of agriculture in general across our beautiful state. … KWIA is entering its 20th year, and we have big plans for our conference in celebration of reaching this milestone.”

The 20th annual KWIA Conference will be held Oct. 14-16 in Louisville. Details and registration information will be posted to KyWomenInAg.com in the coming weeks.

“We’re proud to support an organization that advances women in Kentucky agriculture,” state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “For two decades, KWIA has had a positive influence on Kentucky agriculture by empowering women through education, involvement, and action.”

KWIA is a diverse group of individuals with ties to the state’s agriculture industry, including women who own and/or operate farms and agribusinesses, agriculture entrepreneurs, state and federal personnel, ag educators and students, and consumers.

“Our organization encompasses female producers who raise livestock like alpacas, beef and dairy cattle, and bison, and everything in between,” Huffman said. “Our crops vary even more greatly with lavender, hemp, vegetables, and big grains like corn and soybeans.

“The women in Kentucky agriculture are working to increase agricultural awareness through sharing their story and to seek alternative production enterprises and markets to help increase profitability by incorporating non-traditional and traditional practices into their operations.”

“Deep roots grow leaders” is the theme of this year’s Ag Tag campaign. Kentucky farmers donated more than $612,000 to the Ag Tag Fund last year. Donations are divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the KDA. Half of the 4-H and FFA funds go back to the county where the tag is purchased.