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2 CapitalPress.com March 31, 2017 People & Places In support of women in agriculture She Grows Idaho strives to educate, empower and enrich members’ lives Western Innovator By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Laughter and lively banter dominate at a recent gathering of women passionate about agriculture. They are members of She Grows Idaho, a fledging orga- nization focused on support- ing women in agriculture and educating consumers. The group is the brain- child of Alison Hurwitch, a veterinarian with Elanco, and Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, a writer and agricultural advo- cate. Its inspiration was two- fold — to provide a social and supportive network for young women in agriculture and to educate consumers about food and agriculture. The approach is three- pronged: to educate, empower and enrich, Fitzgerald said. There’s been an influx of young women in agriculture to the Magic Valley over re- cent years and there was no organization to help them find out about available resourc- es or how to connect to oth- er women in agriculture, she said. “There is a void; there’s no way for them to network,” she said. Agriculture can be a real- ly lonely place for women, whether they’re on the farm or working in traditionally male roles, she said. Women’s struggles Hurwitch said she knows the struggles young profes- sional women face. She came to the Magic Valley as a single mother in 2008, juggling ca- reer, family and a little gender bias. The first time she went to a dairy to pull a calf, she was met with “Where’s the vet?” Women farm owners face the same frustration when people ask, “Where’s the owner?” she said. “We wanted get the group Capital Press Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Mike Omeg Capital Press Managers John Perry ................................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager She Grows Idaho Founded: October 2016 Co-founders: Alison Hurwitch and Karma Metzler Fitzgerald Membership: 105 and growing Mission: Empowering wom- en involved in all aspects of food production, from field to fork. Email: info@shegrowsida- ho.com Carol Ryan Dumas/Capital Press From left, Jaclyn Bruhn and Alison Hurwitch, co-founder of She Grows Idaho, listen to a discussion during the organization’s monthly meeting at a Twin Falls restaurant. “It’s a mentoring thing,” Fitzgerald said. Her daughter is majoring in agricultural technology and production management at Washington State University and belongs to the universi- ty’s dairy club, whose quar- ters were designed for young men. Strong role in ag Carol Ryan Dumas/Capital Press Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, co-founder of She Grows Idaho, conducts business with flair. together so women feel sup- ported,” she said. Women are taking up non-traditional roles in agri- culture — a great opportuni- ty that comes with growing pains. “We want them to be excit- ed and happy about choosing a path in ag,” she said. For those college-bound women, the group wants to encourage them to pursue the degree they want — even if it has been traditionally male-dominated, she said. The vast majority of club members today are female, all working on dairies, yet the club’s quarters didn’t even have a women’s bathroom un- til recently, Fitzgerald said. While women have always had a strong role in agricul- ture, they haven’t been rec- ognized or appreciated. With today’s young women now working more, “We want them to know they have a sup- port system,” she said. They’re bound to have frustrations, and She Grows Idaho offers a safe place to air those issues and find solu- tions. It’s a forum for empow- erment and education where they can find support, she said. It’s also a means to con- nect women in the industry and help them be a voice in agriculture and for agricul- ture, Hurwitch said. “There’s a lot of misinfor- mation out there about food, labels and what’s going on in agriculture. We wanted to have an opportunity to ed- ucate anyone and everyone we can on what things mean, such as GMO or hormones,” she said. The group is also meant to further the education of women in agriculture, from production and marketing to how to give farm tours and handle public-relations issues, she said. Varied backgrounds The group spans the spec- trum of backgrounds — from Ph.D.-level researchers to traditional farm wives, from young women just entering agriculture to those closer to retirement and from staunch conservatives to determined liberals. The constant is their fe- male perspective and their passion for agriculture. “Being able to hang out with women who have the same agricultural passion” is what drew Shayna Wilks to the group. She’s part of a multi-gen- erational dairy in Gooding County and said there are a lot of men in dairy. She Grows Idaho gives her the opportu- nity to be with like-minded Website: http://www. shegrowsidaho.com/ Motto: “Lead by serving, learn by giving and nurture by feeding our families, our communities and our world.” women and provides resourc- es as well. “It’s reassuring to hang out with people (women) from the same walk of life,” said Kristina Reitsma, the only fe- male on her multi-generation- al family dairy. Katy Jo Fitzgerald, in her first year of ag studies at Washington State University, joins the group when she’s in town. People think she can’t handle ag work because she’s female, and she enjoys being with women who do “handle it,” she said. Other members of the group said the group gets them out in the community, both through meetings and educational activities, and provides networking. Karen Fields, who farms and keeps records on breed- ing and genomics at a nearby dairy, said women play an im- portant role in agriculture yet don’t seem to have much of a voice. “Maybe this group can help; I felt it was important to support this group,” she said. Entire contents copyright © 2017 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ......................... 800-882-6789 Email ........ Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff N. 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Friday-Saturday March 31-April 1 High Desert Stampede. 6-10 p.m. Bank of the Cascades Center, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, Ore. High Desert Stampede, in concert with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, will be presenting a full rodeo performance lineup complete with bull, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, calf roping and barrel racing. www. highdesertstampede.com Saturday-Sunday April 1-2 Spring Farming Days. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Washington Agricul- tural Museum, 99 Fairground Road, Pomeroy, Wash. Old-time horse and mule farming on 13 acres, plus stat- ic and active equipment and vehicle displays and artisan displays. RV and camping available and hot lunch available both days. Cost: Free. www.co.garfield.wa.us/museum Tuesday, April 4 Understanding and Applying Farm Market Reports. 6-8 p.m. OSU Extension Auditorium, SOREC, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, Ore. Have you ever wondered what that Market Report at the back of the Capital Press really means? Perhaps you just ignore those pages, hoping it won’t hurt your business too much. This class will teach you about market reports. You need to understand the terminology, where to find reputable market reports, get a market report update and learn how to apply the information gleaned in market reports to your operation. Cost: $20 one/ $30 two from same farm. http://bit.ly/Jack- sonSmallFarms Wednesday, April 5 Exploring the Small Farm Dream. 5-8 p.m. OSU SOREC Research Building Library, 569 Haley Road, Central Point, Ore. This three-session course provides an excellent frame- work to help new farmers assess their skills and interests, learn the realities of farm business ownership, and become connected to local resourc- es. The aim is to help those thinking about small-scale commercial farm- ing learn what it will take to start and manage a farm business, and decide whether that is something they really want to pursue. $50 per person, $75 for two from the same farm. Website: http://bit.ly/JacksonSmallFarmDream Wednesday-Saturday April 5-8 86th Idaho FFA State Leadership Conference. College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. www.idahoffa.org/ conferences-conventions/ Thursday, April 6 Second Annual Friends of Idaho FFA Banquet. 4:30-7 p.m. Canyon Crest Event Center, 330 Canyon Crest Drive, Twin Falls, Idaho. The silent auction and social hour start at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner, a pro- gram and live auction. Cost: $25 per person, or $300 for a table of eight. Website: http://bit.ly/2nGk2zQ Saturday, April 8 Community Food System Gath- ering. 9 a.m.-noon. Broadway Com- mons, 1300 Broadway St., Salem, Ore. A healthy community begins with a healthy food system. Everyone involved in creating the Mid-Valley Food System, including farmers, gar- deners, food processors and eaters are invited. The purpose is to give all of stakeholders in the Mid-Valley food system a chance to network and dis- cuss pressing issues with their peers. The event will also feature a keynote address about “The Future of Ore- gon’s Agricultural Land” from Nellie McAdams with Rogue Farm Corps. It will conclude with an optional tour of the Salem Saturday Market. Cost: Free. Website: http://bit.ly/2mZy2oy Goat Seminar. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 7211 40th Ct. NE, Olympia, Wash. Learn about goat healthcare and nutrition, along with a short session about packgoats. Cost: $25 public; $7.50 4H/FFA. Website: http://edel- weissacresobers.com/ Tuesday, April 11 Do Your Kids Want the Busi- ness? Planning for Yes or No. 7:30 to 9 a.m. Hayden’s Lakefront Grill, 8187 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, Tualatin, Ore. Presented by Steve Bennett, Farleigh Wada Witt and the Austin Family Business Pro- gram, Oregon State University. 800-859-7609, http://bit.ly/2h3k8Ck Wednesday, April 12 Exploring the Small Farm Dream. 5-8 p.m. OSU SOREC Research Building Library, 569 Ha- ley Road, Central Point, Ore. This three-session course provides an excellent framework to help new farmers assess their skills and in- terests, learn the realities of farm business ownership, and become connected to local resources. The aim is to help those thinking about small-scale commercial farming learn what it will take to start and manage a farm business, and de- cide whether that is something they really want to pursue. $50 per person, $75 for two from the same farm. Website: http://bit.ly/Jackson- SmallFarmDream Local Meat Marketing and USDA Processing Workshops. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave. SE, Enumclaw, Wash. Workshops will focus on market demand for local meats, eco- nomics and processing options to help determine what is best for your livestock enterprise. Contact: Patrice Barrentine at King County Agriculture Program at Patrice. Barrentine@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-1556. Cost: Free. Web- site: https://goo.gl/forms/JENmH- 1PAWkQfZDaH2 Thursday, April 13 Oregon Mint Commission bud- get hearing. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. White Buffalo Bistro, 4040 Westcliff Drive (Exit 62 I-84), Hood River, Ore. Any producer of Oregon mint oil has the right to be heard on the commis- sion’s budget for next year. Saturday, April 15 Oregon Women for Agriculture 30th annual auction and dinner. 5-9 p.m. Linn County Fair & Expo Cen- ter, 3700 Knox Butte Road E, Alba- ny, Ore. Website: owaonline.org Wednesday-Friday April 19-21 National Organic Standards Board meeting. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, Colo. During meetings, the board listens to public comments, discusses agenda items and then votes in a public fo- rum. Website: http://bit.ly/2gKsKgb Friday-Saturday April 21-22 Second Annual Horsedrawn Vehicle and Equipment Auction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Yamhill County Fair- grounds, 2070 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville, Ore. Preview starts at 8 a.m. both days. Auction benefits the Youth Educational Scholarship Foundation. www.pacificoverland- expo.com Saturday, April 22 Local Meat Marketing and USDA Processing Workshops. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Carnation Farms, Carnation, Wash. Workshops will focus on market demand for local meats, eco- nomics and processing options to help determine what is best for your livestock enterprise. Contact: Patrice Barrentine at King County Agricul- ture Program at Patrice.Barrentine@ kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-1556. Cost: Free. Website: https://goo.gl/ forms/JENmH1PAWkQfZDaH2 Map & Compass Workshop. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. University of Idaho Ex- tension Office in Kootenai County, 1808 North Third St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The program features 2-3 hours indoors interpreting various natural resource maps, followed by field activities using magnetic com- passes. Those wishing to participate should pre-register by Friday, April 14, at the University of Idaho Exten- sion office in Kootenai County. Cost: $10. Website: www.uidaho.edu/ex- tension/forestry/calendar Saturday-Tuesday April 22-25 California FFA State Convention. Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center, 700 M St., Fresno, Calif. Website: www.calaged.org Thursday, April 27 Growing Forest Mushrooms workshop. 6:15-8:45 p.m. The workshop will cover techniques for growing a variety of edible forest mushrooms, including oyster and shitake mushrooms. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Building 2, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Cost: $15 by April 21. Website: http://www.uidaho. edu/extension/forestry. 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 Friday, April 28 Visa and Mastercard accepted Forest Edibles workshop. 1-5 p.m. This workshop will cover the range of edible non-timber products that can be harvested from forests. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Building 2, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Cost: $15 by April 21. Website: http:// www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry. Saturday-Sunday April 29-30 Oregon Ag Fest. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem, Ore. Ag Country activities, a petting zoo, pony rides, toy tractor races, a craft and garden show and family entertainment make for a fun and informative day. A ranch breakfast is served on Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $6. Sunday Ag Fest hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ag Fest cost: Free for 12 and under. $9 for 13 and older. Free parking. http://oragfest.com/ Wednesday-Thursday May 10-11 Managing for Resilience: North- west Grazing Conference 2017. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendle- ton, Ore. Featured speakers are Kit Pharo and Fred Provenza. Pharo, cattle breeder and owner of Pharo Cattle Co., says, “The most profitable cow-calf producers that I know of have a low-input, grass- based program with very efficient, low-maintenance cows. These are also the happiest producers I know of.” Provenza, professor emeritus at Utah State University, is part of the BEHAVE team. BEHAVE principles, based on 30 years of research: If we understand how animals learn, we can train the animals to fit the landscapes instead of changing the landscape to fit the animals. Cost: $227 by April 14, $267 after. Web- site: http://bit.ly/2kpT9yb Thursday-Saturday May 11-13 87th Washington FFA State Con- vention. Washington State University, Pullman. www.washingtonffa.org/ calendar/ 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. 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