Agricultural mentors recognized at Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson congratulates three of the outstanding agricultural mentor honorees in attendance at the recent 20th Annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference. Pictured left to right are Commissioner Frederickson , Rel Seykora, Jan Albrecht and Joel Larsen.

Six individuals were recognized as 2018 Outstanding Agricultural Mentors at the Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference held recently in Chaska, Minnesota. This is the 16th year that District 11 Minnesota Agri-Women have sponsored this honor to recognize people who have served as mentors for women in agriculture.

The selection committee reviews nominations and looks for those who have positively impacted the lives of the women in agriculture. The committee also considers traits and qualities that make each of these individuals outstanding members of the agricultural community.

The Outstanding Agricultural Mentor Award Recipients for 2018 are: Jan Albrecht, retired dairy farmer; Joel Larsen, Program Specialist for Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at the Minnesota Department of Education; Sue McCrum, former President of American Agri-Women and Maine potato farmer; Karin Schaefer, Executive Director for the Minnesota Beef Council; Rel Seykora, longtime Minnesota 4-H Volunteer; and Emily Wilmes, Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension.

More than 200 women leaders, farmers, students, teachers, lenders, and others working in the agriculture sector attended the 20th Annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference. The event has become a leading networking and leadership development resource for women in agriculture. It is also a source for quality programming on a wide range of issues and ideas related to agriculture and women’s leadership. More information can be found at www.womensagleadership.org.