Slate of events planned for Field Day

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

HISEVILLE October 20, 2008 12:11 pm

— The second-annual Kentucky Farm Women Field Day, which focuses specifically on the needs of farm women, will be Tuesday in Hiseville.
“The goal of the field day is to offer farm women several short classes of interest that will give them information they can use to make their operations better,” said Jean-Marie Lawson, event spokesperson. “We feel that information is the key to success and we want to help these women with as much information as we can in a short period of time to empower them to do their roles in the family farm business even better.”
Some of the classes will be: “Landscaping 101,” “What I Should Know Before I Go to the Parts Counter,” “Farm Safety with Kentucky Department of Agriculture Safety Expert Dale Dobson,” “Tips on Buying Tractors and Equipment,” “Agritourism Business Ideas and Roadside Market Opportunities,” and “Year-End Tax Planning and Section 179 Economic Stimulus Package.”
One of the speakers will be Loretta Lyons of Monroe County, who was recently named Outstanding Farmer in Kentucky by the Kentucky Farm Bureau.
Western Kentucky University will also be providing information about non-credit online classes in accounting and business management, as well as other subjects.
The idea for the symposium came about after Lawson attended several meetings across the state where the need for such an event was discussed.
“So we decided to take it on,” Lawson said. “My dad, Sam Lawson, president/CEO of Hartland Equipment, is a founding member of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and has always expressed a great interest in finding ways to help further the education of farm wives, as they tend to be the bookkeepers for the family farm operation.”
A co-sponsor is the Barren County Farm Bureau Federation.
“This event is good for our community,” said Jay Coleman, president of the group said. “It’s good for women on the farm in our community to develop leadership skills. Women are a vital part of farming operations and we need to keep them enthused and updated as to current farming practices around the home and farm.”
In addition to the rotating sessions, Lawson said there will be displays and booths offering more information.
In 2007, more than 100 people turned out for the first field day, which was near Taylorsville in Spencer County.
“This year we are expecting that number to increase as word about the event has spread across the state,” Lawson said.
The first 100 women to register will receive a surprise, she said.
Women are encouraged to bring their children. A Kid Rodeo will be available with child care while the event is taking place.
A variety of door prizes will also be awarded, including a $500 gas certificate and hand-held yard equipment.
The field day will be at Mark Hughes’ farm on Ky. 314 in Hiseville. The event and meal are free. Registration begins at 3 p.m.
More information about the event is available by visiting Hartland Equipment’s Web site at www.HartlandEquipment.com.