University of Minnesota event empowers women in dairy farming

The University of Minnesota hosted the 10th annual Women in Dairy event in February. This gathering took place at the Crow River Winery and focused on women working in dairy farming. It provided a space for them to network and share experiences related to their challenges in the industry. Jill Zieroth, a coordinator with the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, emphasized the importance of this occasion for women to connect, relax, and exchange stories. Guest speaker Katy Schulz, a dairy farmer from Fox Lake, Wisconsin, shared her insights on working with family members in the farm business. Schulz was invited to speak following audience feedback from the previous year, which showed a desire for more real-life farmer experiences. She discussed how her family found ways to ease the stress of working closely together. Schulz talked about the value of gaining outside work experience. She explained that her parents encouraged her and her siblings to explore jobs beyond the farm. This helped them return with new perspectives on managing family relationships in a work setting. Additionally, she shared her approach to seeing her siblings in different roles — as coworkers, siblings, and friends — to keep family stress from spilling over into their work life. The Women in Dairy conference has grown in attendance over the years, attracting over 75 women from various backgrounds and experiences. Some participants manage small herds, while others oversee larger operations with hundreds of cows. Karen Johnson, an educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, noted the event's expansion and the positive feedback from returning guests. The conference aims to highlight the contributions of women in the dairy industry, as most extension program attendees tend to be male. Organizers want to provide a platform that supports and promotes women in agriculture. They have been strategic in reaching a different segment of the farming community to encourage broader participation. The event's popularity has led many guests to invite friends, further broadening its reach within the industry.