by Megan Lawrence
Women across the states of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma gathered recently to network with other women for the 2010 Women Managing the Farm Conference, in Wichita, Kansas, where they learned about their importance in this ever changing field.
In the sixth year of this conference, women are able to come together and discuss and problem solve the issues they are facing in agriculture.
The conference began with Ellie Kay, author and financial expert from southern California, providing tips on how to manage money and reduce debt. Kay married into debt and in two-and-a half years she and her family became debt free.
Kay suggests using the 10/10/80 rule, “10 percent of the income should go to giving, 10 percent of the income into savings and the remaining 80 percent is used to pay bills and debt.”
“The sweetest dollar I ever made was the one I could give away,” Kay said. “Individuals need to develop a spending plan which is flexible and is able to change monthly when debts are paid off.”
She also provided three ways to improve Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) scores by paying early, paying more and paying proportionally.
“Besides paying down, and off debt, remember to still have fun,” Kay said. “Always include entertainment and travel in the budget. Including entertainment will allow individuals to stick to the budget and decrease burnout.”
Kay recommends asking others for advice on what works and what does not when it comes to saving money.
“However, when taking advice from others trust, but verify the information,” she explained. “Remember, some of the information will work some will not.”
During the networking sessions, women met in smaller groups to discuss issues they were facing in the field.
“Agriculture is the hardest job in the entire world and it takes a lifetime of knowledge to understand it,” Holly Higgins, Kansas Farm Bureau director of farm safety and ag education said.
For women struggling with men hearing them in this profession, Cynthia Dixson, Kansas State University Extension agent in Rawlins County and Higgins offered suggestions.
“Begin by finding common ground first, and then work on relationship building,” Dixson said. “Don’t be afraid to get dirty in front of them and work along side of them.”
“Women have to help each other and come to the job prepared,” Higgins said. “Men will learn to respect women in agriculture and in time it will become easier.”
“Remember to be an advocate of agriculture and it will become easier,” Dixson concluded.
Kyle Bauer, general manager of KFRM 550 AM, concluded the first day of the conference providing encouragement for women to continue making a presence in agriculture.
“There are a lot of things that can get in the way of communication, and communication only works if the other person hears you,” Bauer said.
Bauer demonstrated how a person’s message can be judged based on their appearance by changing his appearance throughout the presentation.
“Don’t let prejudice get in the way of the message, the message is fine,” he said. “Women and men pick-up on different aspects of communication and sometimes it is the way women process the information which gets in the way of them understanding the message.”
Bauer provided pointers when communicating messages to others. One, don’t let clothes get in the way of the story. Also, everyone speaks in code, however, be careful about not using words which are obvious to some and not others.
“Yes, it is harder for women to gain respect from the business world,” Bauer said. “Women have to fight the feeling of intimidation by men.”
Bauer suggested women being advocates for agriculture.
“There is no one more respected in America than the American farmer and if America believes the farmer than there is no reason for them not to believe farm women more, Bauer explained. “People are looking for someone to trust and young women need mentors.”
Bauer also suggested, for women to find the facts about agriculture and be prepared to present the information when there is a question.
Bauer concluded by reminding those in attendance, communication is only works if the other person hears the message.
