Mission Statement The Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network (PA-WAgN) supports women in agriculture by providing a positive learning environment, networking, and empowerment. Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network

Women Farmers Agricultural Educators Agricultural Service Representatives Agricultural Industry Representatives Consumers Who Are We? 950 Members & Growing

PA-WAgN Working Group Mary Barbercheck Kathy Brasier Jill Findeis Nancy Ellen Kiernan Linda Stewart Moist Carolyn Sachs Ann Stone Amy Trauger

PA-WAgN Regional Representatives NORTH CENTRAL (3) Maryann Frazier Telephone: Claire Orner Telephone: Gay Rodgers Telephone: Chris Wise Telephone: SOUTH CENTRAL (6) June Hertzler Telephone: Sandra Kay Miller Telephone: NORTHWESTERN (1) Lynne Gelston Telephone: Maggie Robertson Telephone: SOUTHWESTERN (2) Melanie Barkley Telephone: Sandy Brown Telephone: Barb Kline Telephone: NORTHEASTERN (4) Cheryl Matulevich Telephone: Heidi Secord Telephone: SOUTHEASTERN (5) Lynda Farrell Telephone: Kathy Fields Telephone: Anita Russo Telephone:

Natalie Aurand Telephone: (w) Affiliation: Secontary School Educator Cheryl Cook Telephone: Affiliation: Agency Lyn Garling Telephone: Affiliation: At Large Farmer Lucinda Hart-Gonzalez Telephone: Affiliation: At Large Farmer Laurel Hoffman elephone: Ext 110 Affiliation: Agency Amanda Kimble-Evans amanda.kimble- Telephone: Affiliation: NGO Sheila Miller Telephone: (h) Affiliation: Farmer Linda Moist Telephone: Affiliation: PA-WAgN Staff Pat Neiner Telephone: Affiliation: NGO Virginia Phillips-Redpath Telephone: (h) Affiliation: Media Allison Shauger Telephone: Affiliation: Non-Governmental Organization Kathy Soder Telephone: Affiliation: Agency Ann Stone, Secretary Telephone: Affiliation: PA-WAgN Staff Maggie Stonecash Telephone: Affiliation: College Student Amy Trauger, Chairperson Telephone: Affiliation: PA-WAgN Staff Mildred Turner Telephone: x113 Affiliation: Economic & Community Development PA-WAgN Steering Committee

Partner Organizations The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Pennsylvania Certified Organic Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection The Rodale Institute

2007 Programs/Highlights January 9 – Facilitated Celebrating Entrepreneurial Women in Agriculture at the 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show January – Two-Day Intensive Cheesemaking Workshop January 31-February 1 – Two-Day Intensive Equipment Practicum at the PASA Preconference March 2-3 – PA-WAgN’s 1 st Annual Conference: Growing Together March 10 – Hoophouse Construction Workshop March – Two-Day Intensive Business Planning Workshop April 14 – Fencing Workshop June 13 – Tour of The Rodale Institute July – Equipment Workshop for Teens at Hameau Farm August 1 – Soil Quality Workshop August 8 – IPM for Greenhouse Growers Workshop August 15 – Meeting with Senator Casey August 18 – Seasonal Dinner at Friends Farm September 26 – Farming Alternatives: York County Farm Tour October 16 – Poultry Processing Workshop

Building Financial Sustainability: A Plan for Continued Success Victoria Inns March 21-22, 2007 DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN!

Hands on Heavy Metal: An Equipment Practicum January 31—February 1, 2007 PASA Preconference

Equipment Workshop for Teens Hameau Farm July 19-20, 2007

Meeting with Senator Casey Tait Farms August 15, 2007

Research Focus groups in 5 regions on technical training and educational needs Interviews with 20 women farmers on entrepreneurial activities and livelihood strategies Farmer needs assessment surveys-150+ Extension educator needs assessments-106 Interviews with 20 extension educators on experiences with women farmers Survey of 2500 women farmers in the NE U.S.

Research Results Women farmers practice entrepreneurial strategies that benefit community Agricultural education should consider adaptability, interactivity and informality in developing programs

Preliminary Research Results Obstacles to success for women farmers: –Not being taken seriously as farmers –Need for child care –Need for education Maintaining/running equipment Building infrastructure Labor management Working with local governments Planning for retirement

Academy Award Winning Documentary! Ladies of the Land –Documentary about PA-WAgN and women farmers