Empowering Women in Agriculture
A Recap of the 2025 Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference
The 2025 Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference, held on March 31 and April 1 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, brought together over 200 women from across the state to share knowledge, network, and celebrate their contributions to the agricultural industry. With a diverse agenda featuring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions, attendees left inspired and equipped with new tools to enhance their agricultural journeys.
One of the standout moments of the conference was the keynote luncheon, where Shelby Bradley, consumer loan officer in Farm Credit of Western Arkansas’s Russellville branch, delivered an insightful address on the importance of women in the agricultural industry.
Beyond the headline sessions featuring Lisa Smartt and Brooke Clay Taylor, the conference offered interactive workshops covering topics such as succession planning, food preservation techniques, and drone use in agriculture. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, gaining practical skills to implement on their farms and businesses. Networking was another key highlight, as women from various agricultural backgrounds connected, exchanged ideas, and built lasting relationships.
The social event featuring 90s country music, trivia, and a hat bar provided a fun and relaxed atmosphere for attendees to unwind and bond. These connections will undoubtedly continue to strengthen Arkansas’s agricultural community long after the conference ends.
As the event concluded with the Farm Credit-sponsored closing luncheon, attendees reflected on the knowledge gained and the inspiration shared. The announcement of the 2025 Ag Woman of the Year, Dana Stewart, was a fitting end to a conference that celebrated the resilience, innovation, and leadership of women in agriculture.
Farm Credit of Western Arkansas partnered with AgHeritage Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Mid-America to proudly serve as a diamond sponsor of this year’s event.
Founded in 2005, Arkansas Women in Agriculture, Inc. is a private non-profit whose main goals are to provide educational programming and a network of support for women involved in agriculture throughout the state of Arkansas.
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