Arkansas

History

The Arkansas Women in Agriculture (ARWIA) conferences began in 2005, led by Dr. Jennie Popp (University of Arkansas). In order to facilitate the coordination and planning of the statewide conference, a steering committee of 20+ women was seated. The committee was made up of land grant professionals, farmers, ranchers, Farm Bureau Women's Committee members and officers, representatives from the three Farm Credit offices in the state and representatives from the nonprofit sector. 

After the 2005 meeting, the steering committee continued to meet, planning and executing the 2nd annual conference, held in March 2006. Due to the input provided by women farmers and ranchers at the 2006 meeting, and with the blessing of Dr. Popp, the group decided to immediately begin efforts to incorporate as an Arkansas nonprofit corporation, appoint a Board of Directors and seek 501(c)3 status. Incorporation documents were filed in 2006, and 501(c)3 status was granted, effective November 2006. 

The nonprofit ARWIA group organized, planned and executed on its own the 3rd, 4th and 5th annual conferences, averaging approximately 250 attendees. The Board of Directors appointed a CEO/Project Director who oversees the organization and conducts risk management education workshops for farm and ranch women around the state.

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Risk Management Education

ARWIA provides risk management education workshops for producers in Arkansas. Our current risk management program is Annie's Project. To learn more, click here. 

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Become more involve by applying to serve on the Board of Directors!

You can apply for a position on the ARWIA Board of Directors by filling out the application below and turning it in at Conference Registration. We will elect a new Board of Directors to serve for 2010 at our business meeting during the 2010 Conference.

To serve as a Board Member you must be a member of ARWIA.

To serve as an Officer on the Board of Directors you must have been a member of the Board in the past.

To see a job description of each position, click here. 

To see the district map for area representatives, click here.

To download the Board of Director application click below. 

Board Application (Word)

Board Application (PDF)

2009 Board of Directors

• Jennifer Aday, President - Pope County, jennifer.aday@farmcredit.com
• Donette Stump, 1st Vice President - Lonoke County, donette.stump@arfb.com
• Shannon Mirus, 2nd Vice President - Washington County, shannon.mirus@gmail.com
• Melissa Beck, Secretary - Nevada County, mbeck@uaex.edu
• Jacki Whisnant, Treasurer - Lawrence County, mrs.whiz@gmail.com
• Jackie Cherry, NW AR Representative - Logan County, jackiefcherry@gmail.com
  
• Trenea Tubbs, NE AR Representative - Craighead County, jtubbs@bscn.com
• Jane Bryant, SE AR Representative - Jefferson County, rbryant@arkansas.net
  
• Allison Gurley, SE AR Representative - Prairie County, advancetherapy@centurytel.net
  
• Shalah Honeycutt, SW AR Representative - Hempstead Co., shalah.honeycutt@hotmail.com
• Lisa Martin, SW AR Representative - Polk County, thurbeld@yahoo.com
• Mary Wheeler, NE AR Representative - Crittenden County, mrsmaw1@hotmail.com
  
• Kenda Woodburn, NW AR Representative - Johnson County, sugargate@yahoo.com
  
• Mary Frances Rutland, Member at Large - Lonoke County, gperkins@d-c1.com
  
• Julie Leonard, Member at Large - Dallas County, julieamanda0201@gmail.com

• Carrie Hirmer, CEO/Project Director - Miller County, carriehirmer@yahoo.com