N.Y. Agri-Women annual meeting set for Nov. 14-15 in Auburn

AUBURN, N.Y. — Women involved in agriculture from around New York state will assemble in Auburn Nov. 14-15 for the annual meeting of their trade group New York Agri-Women, Inc.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Margaret Smith, a professor at Cornell University’s Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, who will give a talk on genetically modified organisms (or GMOs) on the conference’s first evening, according to a New York Agri-Women news release.

Other topics on the meeting agenda include a panel discussion on the next generation in agriculture, social networking, and collaborative educational technologies, according to the release. The meeting will culminate with tours of Cayuga Ingredients, MacKenzie-Childs, and Long Point Winery.

“Our annual meeting serves as an opportunity for women, off all ages, involved in all sectors of agriculture to come together and prosper as individuals as well as an industry,” New York Agri-Women President Sheila Marshman said in the release.

Women play a significant role in the Empire State’s nearly $6 billion agriculture industry. Just under 20 percent of New York farmers are women, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Members of New York Agri-Women are involved in numerous segments of the business, including dairy farming, vegetable production, wine production, agribusiness, extension, and maple production, the release stated.

New York Agri-Women, a state affiliate of American Agri-Women, says its purpose to educate consumers, elected officials, and members of the agriculture community about the issues that affect New York food and farming. The organization was founded in 2010.

For more information about New York Agri-Women or attending the annual meeting in Auburn, contact Sheila Marshman at newyorkagriwomen@gmail.com or call (607) 244-5539.