42
May 2009
A conversation with
Marcie williams
American Agri-Women President
OCJ: First, could you share a little culture for the benefit of the American ranchers have the facts and tools to effec-
about your farm and background? people and the world.” Our goals today tively speak on agricultural issues.
are for education, networking and lead-
Marcie: My husband, Don, son, ership between our members, our elected OCJ: How do issues on your Ohio
Marcie: I’m only called upon to drive
Shawn, and I own and operate Williams officials and consumers. farm compare to the issues being dealt
the grain cart and fill semis in the fall. I
Farms LP in northwestern Licking with at the national level of American
leave the marketing and production
County. When I married my dairy farmer OCJ: American Agri-Women has a Agri-Women?
practices to my husband and son, though
husband in 1968 I immediately went into number of valuable services and pro-
I’m sure I give them my opinion from
culture shock. My former experiences in grams. Which of these do you feel are the Marcie: AAW is a grassroots organi-
time to time. This doesn’t mean I’m not
raising horses on 3 acres was a far cry most important and why? zation reaching from border to border
active in management. By networking
from the reality of life on the dairy, hog and ocean to ocean. Issues on my farm
with others and being visible as a nation-
and grain operation I married into. We Marcie: Our Washington, D.C., Fly-In are similar to those of other farms and
al president, I can contribute useful infor-
now farm approximately 1,800 acres of meeting has to be one of our greatest ranches across the country. Our members
mation I may receive from other agricul-
corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. Health programs. AAW’s main goal is education are concerned with property rights,
ture groups in a timely manner on press-
reasons forced us out of the dairy and — educating consumers on the impor- water issues, animal welfare, govern-
ing issues. Do I influence their decisions?
hog operation several years ago leaving tance of U.S. agriculture and the safety of mental regulations, all of which impact
I don’t think so, but it’s helpful if I’m at
us with three horses, two dogs and a our food supply. We also need to educate our farm here in Ohio. This is why it is
least tolerant and can respect the deci-
barn full of cats as our only livestock. our elected officials and governmental so important to be involved in an organi-
sions they have made.
agencies about agriculture and why they zation such as AAW, to be better pre-
OCJ: How did you get involved with should understand the need for a com- pared for the national issues that will
OCJ: With Mother’s Day just around
the American Agri-Women? bined effort when making decisions that ultimately affect your farm or ranch.
the corner, it should be pointed out that
will affect not only farmers and ranchers,
women, and mothers, on farms have
Marcie: After back surgery in the late but the entire world economy. Meeting OCJ: What are the major challenges
always had a unique role. How is this
1980s I couldn’t drive tractors or do with the politicians on their home turf your group will be tackling in 2009?
unique role of farm wife and mother
heavy farm work and felt I wasn’t gives AAW members the ability to meet
reflected in your organization?
pulling my weight on the farm. I read a with several agencies and speak directly Marcie: Governmental regulations
newspaper article about a group of to those making decisions that ultimately will be a major challenge AAW will face
Marcie: Farm wives are different
women called Women for Ohio affect our farms and ranches. in 2009. Every year consumers become
today than they were when AAW began.
Agriculture, attended one of their meet- Our networking between various further and further removed from their
They were stay-at-home mothers tending
ings and was hooked. I was so impressed commodity groups and agricultural agricultural background and have a fixed
gardens, helping with chores, both inside
with the professionalism and educational agencies has allowed AAW members to perception of where their food comes
and outside, and being responsible for
goals of the ladies that I immediately serve on several national committees, from and how it should be produced.
the farm’s lifestyle. Today we have the
wanted to be part of them. Our children ensuring that farmer’s viewpoints are Environmental issues and animal wel-
unique ability to be wife, mother, grand-
were out of school and I had the time to recognized. The founder of Agriculture fare policy will be other challenges facing
mother, business partner, speaker and
dedicate myself to speaking out about in the Classroom, Jean Ibendahl, is a AAW members and all involved in agri-
educator while working a part- or full-
agriculture. The network of ladies from member of AAW and continues to assist culture. Activist groups such as the
time job away from the farm. We’ve
across the country involved in so many us in promoting agriculture in classroom Humane Society of the United States
added more onto our resume. The mem-
areas of agriculture gave me the confi- presentations. We offer a Speaker’s (USUS) have already made their presence
bership of AAW is as wide spread in pro-
dence and material I needed to help in Bureau for factual information to schools known in western states and will be
fessionalism as it is in age. Young, profes-
promoting the importance of agriculture and activity books, both free of charge, looking hard at Ohio and other Midwest
sional businesswomen are marrying
to the consumer. for groups that wish to contact us. states this year with recommended legis-
farmers but still want to be part of the
lation or ballot issues.
agricultural world. They are stepping up
OCJ: What is the history and current OCJ: What are your goals for the
and becoming leaders for our industry.
role of the organization? organization as president? OCJ: What is your favorite aspect of
We now wear business suits and heels
being president?
to the halls of Congress and can deal
Marcie: Forty years ago women Marcie: I’m excited about continuing
with them as efficiently as feed salesmen
across the rural countryside saw the need with our American Grown Goodness Marcie: I love to be able to network
that come to the door at mealtime. We
to unite with one combined voice for (AGG) project, which recognizes U.S. with other groups and organizations and
still take meals to the fields during busy
agriculture. After several attempts, the grown products. I would like to build on not just agricultural groups. We need to
seasons but often return home to go to a
first Farm Women’s Forum was held in our current radio and TV advertisements be at the table to make sure agriculture is
meeting were we are speaking on food
1974 in Milwaukee, Wis., with six state and get them into all of our state affili- represented fairly and accurately on vari-
safety or animal welfare.
women’s organizations joining forces to ates. This will help make everyone aware ous committees. Remember, if you are
American Agri-Women members are
form a coalition of like-minded women of our agricultural messages airing on not at the table, you are on the menu.
talented, tenacious and persistent. Our
involved in agriculture. The name RFD networks throughout the country. The traveling has its advantages as
uniqueness is our ability to speak with
American Agri-Women (AAW) was cho- I am working with other agricultural well. When your best friend lives hun-
one voice for the betterment of our
sen, with the organization officially organizations to present educational pro- dreds of miles away and grows grass
industry, something all of agriculture
launched on Nov. 14, 1974. Sharon grams at trade shows and commodity seed, you learn an entirely new aspect of
needs to keep in mind with the chal-
Steffins of Michigan was named tempo- meetings. I’m excited that AAW will be farming. One method of farming is com-
lenges coming our way in the future.
rary coordinator. She later served as pres- partnering with American Equipment pletely foreign to others in another part
Wouldn’t you like to join me and become
ident until 1978. Manufacturers (AEM) on a new concept of the country. We learn from each other.
part of this very unique organization?
The purpose of AAW is: “To unite in trade shows called Ag Connect Expo
Membership forms, scholarships
women’s organizations and individuals to be held in Florida in early 2010. This OCJ: How does being president
forms and much more can be found
to communicate with one another and will be an opportunity to educate within influence what you are doing on the
at AAW’s Web site:
with other consumers to promote agri- our industry and be assured farmers and home farm?
www.americanagriwomen.org.
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