2018 Minority, Women, and Small Farmers’ Conference


Central State University Extension hosted the 2nd Annual Minority, Women, and Small Farmers’ (MWSF) Spring 2018 Conference, on the Central State University main campus. The agricultural conference provided insight into traditional agriculture challenges, urban agriculture opportunities, and barriers facing new farmers, small farmers, women, veterans, socially disadvantaged groups, and communities.


This year’s conference theme was Sustainable Agriculture for a Sustainable Community and featured more than 20 technical presentations and panel discussions. The informative event also provided opportunities for nearly 200 individuals to network and discuss ways to improve their current farming practices.


The conference featured an informative


Joanne Rebbeck, Ph.D., research scientist, U.S. Forest Service


session by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development as well as a panel discussion with state leaders representing the several USDA groups including the Farm Service Agency, Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development. Conference attendees also had the opportunity to interact with vendors including government agencies, businesses, industry professionals, companies, for-profit, and non-profit organizations.


Other conference presentations included topics relating to agriculture


Diabetes Prevention and Management Programs


Diabetes is a far-reaching chronic disease, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of three American adults have elevated blood sugar levels—a serious condition associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Central State University Extension is committed to helping individuals in the community prevent and manage the disease with a series of workshops


2018 Minority, Women, and Small Farmers’ Conference was well attended. The workshop program, called the 12


finance, farm management, sustainable agriculture, urban agriculture, and research and extension. Attendees participated in sessions related to community gardening and urban farming, extending the growing season, soil monitoring, soil health, and agribusiness.


The Extension staff has already started planning next year’s MWSF Conference that will take place in spring 2019, on the CSU campus.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16