2025 WV Women In Ag Conference
October 31, 2025 - November 01, 2025  ·  Stonewall Resort

The annual West Virginia Women in Agriculture Conference provides research-based and practical educational opportunities for agribusiness women while fostering networking and leadership development. Workshops focus on the five areas of risk management and production enterprises. Farm tours highlight successful operations and provide opportunities for participants to learn from other’s experiences. The conference rotates annually to demonstrate the diversity of agricultural enterprises throughout West Virginia.

Women In Ag Learning Objectives:

  • Education: Find information easily obtained, retained and understandable from discussion-based teaching experiences at the conference.
  • Collaboration: Learn how to more effectively connect with other producers, funders, service providers and governmental representatives.
  • Leadership: Understand the importance of developing leadership skills and sharing them to increase successes in the agriculture and natural resources industry.
  • Economic: Adopt strategies that will lead to improved efficiency and increase small farm and agribusiness sustainability in West Virginia.

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Please note that all lodging is booked through Stonewall Resort.  Room rates for the conference are $149.00 plus fees and taxes IF BOOKED BY OCTOBER 1, 2025.  This fee is in addition to your registration fee.  You will need to call 304-269-7400 make a reservation and mention the WVU Extension Service's West Virginia Women in Ag Conference.  There may be scholarship available; email Jodi.Richmond@mail.wvu.edu for information.

Farm Tour:
This is a tour of working farms that may not be completely accessible.  You must be comfortable getting on and off a 15-passenger van unassisted, and be physically able to fully participant in farm tours, which may include walking or standing for the duration of the tour.  Closed-toe footwear is highly recommended.
Location for Agriculture is TBA
Location for Horticulture is TBA




Agenda
Friday, October 31
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Buses depart prompty at noon. Don't be late! Boxes lunch provided to participants.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 1
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
7:05 AM - 8:15 AM
7:05 AM - 8:15 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
8:20 AM - 9:20 AM
8:20 AM - 9:20 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Stacey Braithwaite - Lifelong Mechanic & Service Tech Small Engine Repair for Everyone
Courtney Buckler - New Leaf Greenhouse From Seed to Sprout: A Hands-on Guide to Health Seedlings
Bruce Loyd - WVU Extension Agent Mastering Agricultural Sprayer Calibration
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
Sarah Rexroad - Nettles Equipment Power in Your Hands: Considerations When Buying Equipment
Lynette Swiger - Fern Faye Farm Generations in Bloom: Building a Legacy through Flowers and Innovation
Katie Payne - WVU Extension Forage Agronomy Specialist Evaluating the Cost of Hay Production
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Mary Oldham & Chico Ramirez - Mountain Harvest Farm Scaling up our Small Farm: Making Decisions about Equipment, Infrastructure, & Labor
Candace DeLong - WVU Extension Agent Fine Tuning your Pest Management Strategy
Sarah Wayne - Wayne Cattle Company From Pen to Profit: Livestock Marketing Essentials
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Business Pitch Competition Finalists
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Conference Wrap-Up Don't forget to fill out an evaluation!
Speakers
Mountain Harvest Farm
In this session we'll share our story of scaling from a ¼ acre garden to a 12 acre+ diversified vegetable operation. We'll discuss hard decisions including how/why we chose to purchase certain equipment, invest in infrastructure, and manage labor.
Mountain Harvest Farm
In this session we'll share our story of scaling from a ¼ acre garden to a 12 acre+ diversified vegetable operation. We'll discuss hard decisions including how/why we chose to purchase certain equipment, invest in infrastructure, and manage labor.
Nettles Equipment
Whether new or used, green or red, buying a piece of equipment is a big decision and an even bigger financial investment.
Mechanic for Amerifleet Solutions
Ever had a lawnmower that just won’t start, a weed trimmer that sputters out, or a snowblower that’s lost its power? This class will give you the skills and confidence to tackle those problems yourself!
WVU Extension Agent - Hampshire County
This session will explore the essential role of scouting in developing and implementing effective pest management strategies, particularly within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework.
FernFaye Farm
Lynette Swiger and her daughters, Abby and Emily, will share how three generations collaborate on their family farm.
New Leaf Greenhouse
Join us for an informative session on essential greenhouse preparation, covering everything you need to know about starting plants from seed or utilizing the convenience of purchasing plugs.
Wayne Cattle Company
This session will walk you through key strategies for marketing livestock through both traditional markets and niche markets.
WVU Extension Forage Agronomy Specialist
Whether you're baling it yourself, hiring custom operators, or buying hay outright, understanding the true cost of hay is critical to making smart, profitable decisions on your operation.
WVU Extension Agent - Lewis County
This session will provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately calibrate herbicide and other agricultural sprayers, ensuring efficient and effective product application while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Chico Ramirez

In this session we'll share our story of scaling from a ¼ acre garden to a 12 acre+ diversified vegetable operation. We'll discuss hard decisions including how/why we chose to purchase certain equipment, invest in infrastructure, and manage labor.

Mary Oldham

In this session we'll share our story of scaling from a ¼ acre garden to a 12 acre+ diversified vegetable operation. We'll discuss hard decisions including how/why we chose to purchase certain equipment, invest in infrastructure, and manage labor.

Sarah Rexroad

Whether new or used, green or red, buying a piece of equipment is a big decision and an even bigger financial investment.

Stacey Braithwaite

Ever had a lawnmower that just won’t start, a weed trimmer that sputters out, or a snowblower that’s lost its power? This class will give you the skills and confidence to tackle those problems yourself!

Candace DeLong

This session will explore the essential role of scouting in developing and implementing effective pest management strategies, particularly within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework.

Lynette Swiger

Lynette Swiger and her daughters, Abby and Emily, will share how three generations collaborate on their family farm.

Courtney Buckler

Join us for an informative session on essential greenhouse preparation, covering everything you need to know about starting plants from seed or utilizing the convenience of purchasing plugs.

Sarah Wayne

This session will walk you through key strategies for marketing livestock through both traditional markets and niche markets.

Katie Payne

Whether you're baling it yourself, hiring custom operators, or buying hay outright, understanding the true cost of hay is critical to making smart, profitable decisions on your operation.

Bruce Loyd

This session will provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately calibrate herbicide and other agricultural sprayers, ensuring efficient and effective product application while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

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