The 2009 Women Managing the Farm Conference has been scheduled Feb. 12 - 14 at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center in Hutchinson, Kan.

Themed "The Changing Face of Agriculture," the annual conference provides opportunities for women who are involved in agriculture to come together and network with other women who have similar interests and challenges, said Kristy Archuleta, conference coordinator. Archuleta is an assistant professor with the personal financial planning program in the Kansas State University School of Family Studies and Human Services.

This year´s conference will focus on five areas, including legal, financial, production, price and human risk. The event will feature four keynote speakers:

* Glen Muske, professor and interim associate dean, and assistant director of family and consumer sciences cooperative extension from Oklahoma State University. As the opening keynote speaker, he will explore the topic of networking. His presentation will be followed by small group discussions.

* Sarah Fogleman, a former K-State Research and Extension southeast Kansas agricultural economist and now a full time writer, will speak on family relations and the farm.

* Charlotte Shoup Olsen, a K-State Research and Extension family systems specialist, will share tips for effective personal and professional communications.

* Juli Burney, a humorist with an agriculture background from Nebraska, will offer a lighter - entertaining - perspective: "Cleverly Cultivating Change."

In addition to the primary speakers, 25 breakout sessions and a tradeshow will be offered.

"Any woman who is involved in agriculture as a profession, as a producer, farm partner or landowner can benefit from this conference," Archuleta said.

The 2009 conference will be the fourth in a series, she said. The 2008 conference attracted more than 300 women who shared an interest in agriculture and agribusiness. They represented seven states and ranged in age from their early twenties to their late sixties.

The cost to attend the conference is $85, and includes all sessions, conference materials, two lunches and one breakfast. For registration and more information, go to www.womenmanagingthefarm.info or call 1-866-FARMKSU (327-6578). A few scholarships may be available for Farm Credit customers or Kansas Farm Bureau members. The Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center has a limited number of rooms at a discounted conference rate. For reservations and more information, contact the hotel at a toll-free number 1-800-362-5018.

The conference is sponsored by numerous organizations, including the K-State School of Family Studies and Human Services, K-State Research and Extension, Frontier Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Central Kansas, Farm Credit of Ness City, Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Farm Credit of Southwest Kansas, High Plains Farm Credit, Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services, Kansas Agri-Women, and the Kansas Association of Family and Community Education.

Also sponsoring the conference the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Beef Council, Kansas Cooperative Council, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, Kansas Soybean Association, Kansas Rural Center, Kansas Rural Family Helpline, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Commerce, American Farmers and Ranchers, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, and the USDA Risk Management Agency.