*For Immediate Release*




*March 12, 2025*

 

*Media Contact: *Doris Mold

612-414-7574

[email protected]




Women's Ag Leadership Logo




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Annual Women’s Ag Leadership Conference on April 9, 2025

Network with agricultural leaders at the 27th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) on April 9, 2025, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This year’s WALC theme, “Rooted in Agriculture: Cultivating Leadership; Growing Together”, will focus on empowering participants to grow personally and professionally, ensuring a stronger and more resilient agricultural community.

“For many of our attendees this is the best one day event of the year as this unique event brings together people from all areas of agriculture to dialogue and network,” said Doris Mold, conference co-founder. “Our program encourages connections and energizes and motivates participants to become leaders in their work and communities. We’re also excited to offer two new pre-conference sessions, COMET and safeTALK, focused on giving participants the skills they need to support people struggling in their communities. The WALC is committed to promoting stress reduction and mental wellness in agriculture.”

Attendees will be welcomed by Allison Deplazes, a Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador, and Cora Martensen, a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador. The general session panel, “Leading and Learning at Every Stage,” features Jamie Dreher, Vice President, Business Banking Underwriting Manager, Agriculture Originations, U.S. Bank; Ashley Hagenow, 76th Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Barb Liebenstein, Co-Owner, Wolf Creek Cattle and Farm; and Friendly Vang-Johnson, Director of Government Affairs, Minnesota Farmers Market Association.

A highlight of the conference is the recognition of 2025’s Outstanding Agriculture Mentors. This award is in its 23rd year and recognizes people who have been positive mentors and role models for people in agriculture, especially women. Nominations are open until March 19.

The day also includes two breakout sessions, mini-sessions focused on current topics, and an opportunity to learn about the Arboretum’s new cafe, Rootstock, from Arboretum Culinary Lead Beth Fisher and Executive Chef Niki Heber.

Participants can choose from 10 different breakout topics:


* Agritourism: Keeping Your Visitors, Your Animals, and Your Assets Safe
* Forever Green Initiative: Creating Market Opportunities for Continuous Living Cover Crops
* From Farm to Front Page: Personal Branding for Women in Agriculture
* From Vision to Reality: Supporting Your Change Journey
* Medicine Soup: Edible and Medicinal Plant for Every Day
* Minnesota Demographic Trends
* On-Farm Resilience: Responding to Changing and Extreme Weather Patterns
* Relationship Building Across Agriculture: A Conversation Panel
* Risk Busters: Uncovering the Hidden Threats to Future-Proof Your Business
* The Latest on the Legislature: Agricultural Policy Updates

The conference is open to individuals with an interest in women’s agricultural leadership regardless of gender, age, or affiliation. Register by March 28 for a discounted rate.

The Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference is made possible by Innovator Sponsorship Partner – AgCountry Farm Credit Services; along with Major Sponsorship Partners – CoBank, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Leasing, U.S. Bank; Sponsorship Partners – Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Soybean Research Promotion Council, Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence; and many other conference partners and volunteers.

For the full conference brochure and more information, visit: [link removed]. Please reach out to Doris Mold with any questions. She can be contacted at 612-414-7574 or [email protected].

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