February 27, 2024
Lt. Gov. Stratton to speak to 600+ FFA members at SIU’s women’s ag conference
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Women’s growing place in agriculture and an appearance by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are on tap at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this week. News media, reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the Women Changing the Face of Ag Conference, Feb. 29-March 1.
Organizers expect some 600 young women from Illinois FFA high school chapters, along with industry supporters, for breakout sessions and a full day of activities. The outreach projects aim to give all women the opportunity to explore career paths in the agriculture sector by providing accurate information and first-hand accounts and relationships with ag professionals.
Events begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at StarView Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill Road in Cobden, south of Carbondale. This Illinois Agriwomen professional development session, along with industry sponsors and partners, is expected to include up to 75 people. Dinner is set for 6 p.m. with a keynote address at 6:30 p.m. from Alex Russell, of Syngenta, an SIU alumna.
On Friday, March 1, speakers begin at 8:30 a.m. in the ballrooms at the SIU Student Center with Sheryl Tucker, SIU’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, providing a welcome followed by Stratton’s address. Statton will provide a short news media availability following her remarks, which should end about 8:50 a.m.
At the same time, organizers will run a college and career fair in the nearby International Lounge.
For more information about covering this event, contact Susan Graham, director of development, at susang@foundation.siu.edu or 618-790-4474.