More than 90 women from 24 counties across the state gathered in beautiful Beaufort on September 22 and 23 for South Carolina Farm Bureau’s (SCFB) annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

Beaufort County residents Ann Ackerman, Mary Hagy, Laura Hansen, Brenda McLeod, Kelly Lesesne, Cindy Keener, Suzanne Howard, Melinda Ackerman, Beverly Brown and Sandra Simmons were among the group of women who spent the week participating in workshops that addressed aquaculture and mariculture, personal development and tools they can use to promote agriculture in their local counties. The conference concluded with a tour of historic Beaufort and plantation homes in the area.

[caption id="attachment_19803" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Beaufort-County_-Womens-Leadership-Conf_-SCFB.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19803" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Beaufort-County_-Womens-Leadership-Conf_-SCFB-300x197.jpg" alt="Beaufort County residents (left to right) Ann Ackerman, Mary Hagy, Laura Hansen, Brenda McLeod, Kelly Lesesne, Cindy Keener, Suzanne Howard, Melinda Ackerman, Beverly Brown and Sandra Simmons joined more than 90 women from around the state for SCFB’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Beaufort, SC." width="300" height="197" /></a> Beaufort County residents (left to right) Ann Ackerman, Mary Hagy, Laura Hansen, Brenda McLeod, Kelly Lesesne, Cindy Keener, Suzanne Howard, Melinda Ackerman, Beverly Brown and Sandra Simmons joined more than 90 women from around the state for SCFB’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Beaufort, SC.[/caption]

Presentations were given by aquaculture producers and farmers in the Beaufort area. Frank Roberts of Lady’s Island Oysters, Jerry Gault of Gault Seafood and Robyn Clevinger of Beaufort Shellfish Company all spoke about their daily activities in their occupations while the conference attendees learned about how their seafood is grown. Julie Davis, a living marine resources extension specialist for the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, also presented at the conference. Davis shared her expertise and knowledge about her work with consumers and producers in aquaculture.

SCFB President David Winkles said, “We are thankful to have such dedicated women in the Farm Bureau. Without their enthusiasm and commitment, SCFB would not be able to have the far-reaching influence it has. So far this year, these women have put in more than 7,000 hours of purpose activities around the state. We are extremely proud their accomplishments.”

Farm Bureau Women at county, state, and national levels coordinate agricultural education and promotional activities. Their work includes supporting important family and agricultural legislation, youth programs, educational activities, leadership development and commodity promotions.

Persons interested in supporting the efforts of local farm women can contact their county Farm Bureau for additional information or visit online at www.scfb.org.
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