Iowa State University Extension hosts Women in Agriculture focus groups in Linn, Benton, and Jones Counties
VINTON, Iowa (KCRG) - Saturday was the first of four focus groups for women in agriculture put on by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Linn County.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is planning on implementing new programming for people in Linn, Benton, and Jones Counties in response to the issues brought up in these focus groups. It also plan to form an advisory group made up of women to help plan the programs.
The women at Saturday’s focus group in Vinton talked about economic issues.
One women mentioned how the selling rate of crops like corn have remained the same over time while fertilizers and other resources farmers need for their farms have drastically raised in price.
The group also brainstormed ways to help people in the agriculture industry who are facing mental health concerns.
One of the leader’s of the discussion said these are issues for all women in agriculture.
“What I have found is that women in agriculture have similar issues, experiences, successes, and struggles. They go across county borders,” JD Otterbein, Rural-Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Linn County said. “Just because you’re a farmer in Benton County doesn’t mean you’re not having similar struggles than those in Linn,” she said.
Otterbein said the focus groups are also a way for women in agriculture to meet other women just like them.
“There are women in agriculture, be it those on the farm or those working in ag industries in our community who want to connect with each other, who want education, and who are needing different resources,” Otterbein said.
Otterbein will be leading three other focus groups in Jan.:
- Hiawatha: January 23rd at 6:00pm at the Linn County Extension Office Room 100
- Monticello: January 28th at 6:00pm at the Jones County Extension Office Conference Room
- Virtually: January 30th at noon via Zoom
You can register for one of these focus groups here.
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