Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Get set for a full-day of female-focused agriculture on June 21 at Blazin J Simmentals in Sunset House.
Peace Country Beef & Forage is hosting its second annual AgricultHER School to provide some extra skills and knowledge to women in the industry.
“The Peace Region AgricultHER School was created in partnership with the Peace Country Beef & Forage Association, the County of Grande Prairie, the M.D. of Greenview, and Cows & Fish,” says Peace Country Beef & Forage Association operations director Alaina Archibald.
“We are excited to announce that we have expanded our organizing group to include Saddle Hills County and Big Lakes County. Together, we are delighted to bring this event back for a second consecutive year to the women of the Peace.”
Archibald says this event will include a guided farm tour, cow-calf vet presentation, expert talks on farm management and mental health, a yoga break, and great networking with other women in agriculture.
“This event, much like the annual Northern Women in Ag Conference organized by PCBFA in Fairview, aims to empower and educate women in the agricultural sector,” Archibald explains.
“As women in agriculture ourselves, we recognize the unique challenges that women face, which set them apart from their male counterparts, and we appreciate the diverse roles women fulfill on the farm.”
The event will be held at Blazin J Simmentals and will run from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event will also include heifer scoring and breeding techniques with Dr. Josee Marcoux and a Producer Panel to discuss Balancing Your Roles.
“Our mission is to honour our fellow women in agriculture by offering an invaluable opportunity for learning and networking,” Archibald notes.
“This will include a combination of classroom-style presentations and hands-on demonstrations led by skilled professionals. While we strive to offer a variety of different topics each year, the 2025 AgricultHER School will have a focus on beef cattle production, cattle marketing, mental health, a Producer Panel and more.”
The unique offering of a yoga session is something Archibald says is meant to provide some self-care to the women attending.
“We like to offer an optional, professionally guided yoga session at the AgricultHER School to help break up the day and allow the attendees to move their body in a non-invasive way, achieving relaxation and connection with those around them,” she says.
“Those who choose not to participate may enjoy a walk, stretch or visit with fellow women in ag,” she adds.
Archibald says the event allows women a day to expand their knowledge and gain access to valuable resources available to them in an easily digestible format.
“This event is designed for women of all ages and diverse backgrounds within the agriculture sector,” Archibald says.
“Frequently, we hear women express, ‘My husband is the farmer; I’m just the farm wife.’ However, we believe that women’s contributions on the farm run much deeper. While some women may not operate machinery or assist in calving, their vital roles in supporting their family’s farm are crucial for achieving both financial and emotional success.”
She says an important factor to any agricultural event is understanding the mental health role that producers often experience.
“A recent study revealed that 76 per cent of farmers face challenges with mental health, and it’s easy to understand why,” she explains.
“In an industry heavily influenced by uncontrollable factors such as weather, input costs, sales prices, rising equipment expenses, fuel costs, and the growing cost of living while supporting a family, the stress can be overwhelming. Our goal is to foster an environment where women feel at ease and understand that they are not alone in the challenges they may encounter at home.”
Tickets are pre-sale only and can be purchased online for just over $70 through the Peace Country Beef & Forage website. Please visit www.peacecountry beef.ca