URBANDALE, Iowa - Iowa Women in Agriculture presents “Taking Charge of Your Farm’s Future,” a conference designed to give ag women the tools they need to deal with the present and plan for the future of their farms. The conference is scheduled for July 25-26, 2007, at the West Des Moines Marriott, 1250 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.

“This conference is intended to help women who, through an unexpected turn in life, find themselves as asset owners,” says Elaine Gaesser, Iowa Women in Ag president. “Through surveys conducted by Iowa Women in Ag, we have learned that there are many farm women who have found themselves in a situation where they were suddenly in charge of the farming operation, a position for which they felt very inadequate.”

Some of the topics to be covered during the conference include: setting goals, understanding legal challenges, practicing good communication, finding the right advisors, dealing with taxes and protecting your assets. In addition, keynote speaker, Nan Crockett Valentine, from Valentine Coaching and Consulting Firm, will present “Laughter Rx,” which will offer a unique way to understand the benefits of laughter while you work.

“Taking Charge of Your Farm’s Future” will offer innovative ways to help women farmers and women involved in a farming operation plan for the continued economic viability of the farm when they assume the role of primary operator. Will the changes that occur in your farming operation be handled with a plan or as a reaction to a traumatic life event?

To register for the Iowa Women in Agriculture conference, call (515) 251-3202 or log on to www.IowaWomenInAg.org. Registration is $99. Sleeping rooms for the night of July 25 are available for $89. To reserve a room, call (515) 267-1500; ask for the Iowa Women in Agriculture room block.