2007-10-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

We've visited with FFA members, advisors, parents from 37 states and Puerto Rico! There has been a lot of interest in AAW and what we do. We've heard many stories, like about Aunt Annie who worked the farm while her husband worked in town, and the FFA mom who drives the tractor and manages the local co-op. People of all ages really relate to Rosie the Riveter. Women going by, say, "Look, that's me." We've had women looking for information on starting a beekeeping business,a lady wanting information on getting grants for horse rescue,women interested in starting state affiliates, such as AZ and GA; an employment manager from Pioneer wanting to know how companies can plug their women employees into AAW; an ag teacher wanting to get his wife involved in agriculture; two teachers from South Carolina who are Sigma Alpha alums; Lots of people with connections to AAW in some way, like the ag teacher from Union, OR, whose student did artwork for an OWA poster; lots of compliments on the work of AAW affiliates, like the New Mexico people talking about New Mexico Cow Belles. Some of our affiliates and members have stopped by, including WNAAA and Sigma Alpha; a first-year ag teacher from Minnesota; a former member from IN now living in OH; also a lady from ANCW who's based in Minnesota, welcoming us to MN for convention.....One of the GA women is the chairman of a commodity commission and says she has an email list of over 1000 people and she'd like to email them asking if they'd be interested in starting a GA Agri-Women group if we'd come meet with them.

We've also had the opportunity to network with other organization representatives, USDA agencies, and ag companies, including AAW sponsor CropLife America's Jay Vroom and Allan Noe.

Why are we here? At the 2006 Mid-Year planning session, Kris Poirier suggested in a group that AAW should market our organization to youth and exhbit at the FFA Convention. Great idea! Nowhere else can you reach over 50,000 people involved in agriculture from all over the country, plus 418 other trade show exhibitors ( a record # this year). Kris also suggested that we use Rosie the Riveter in promotion for the youth marketing campaign. She had a friend put together the first draft of the Rosie the Riveter banner which is attracting so many people to our booth. That has really resonated with people of all ages. Groups of girls stop to get their picture taken with her, and many people have said "Where can I get a poster like that?" They like the "We Can Do It Together," and people say, that's it, women will get it done.

We also have the American Grown Goodness logo on a banner in the booth and information available on that program, and that's drawing positive interest as well. We are having drawings for the Livestock Breeds of the US poster set and having people sign up to get activity books.

FFA Members Love Rosie

2007-10-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

AAW At FFA Convention!

2007-10-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hi, we're at the FFA Convention in Indianapolis, where the FFA Career Show is set to open at 12:30. It's the largest Career Show ever for FFA, and over 55,000 attendees are expected this year. We were set up early, and with the Career Show yet to officially open, we've had a steady stream of people at our booth since 10:00 a.m. We've talked with women in agriculture from 13 states and Puerto Rico already.

"Rosie the Rancher" is a big hit! Young people - and people of all ages - identify with the Rosie the Riverter image. Young women are stopping by to have their picture taken with Rosie, and we've had a lot of requests for the poster version.

AAW at FFA Convention this week

2007-10-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi, Come visit the American Agri-Women booth at the FFA Convention Career Show this week in Indianapolis. We'll be in booth H17, with resources and information for young women in agriculture!

The FFA Convention is an awesome event, with well over 50,000 youth and leaders in agriculture expected to attend.