Local members earn awards
PORTLAND — The 40th annual American Agri-Women (AAW) Convention was held in Portland recently with 147 in attendance. Maine Agri-Women hosted the event, with the theme “Harvesting for the Future.”
Two local women were recognized for their dedication to the AAW. Pam Townsend of Mars Hill, president of Maine Agri-Women, and Diane Hemphill of Presque Isle received the AAW President’s Award.
The Maine delegation included Sue McCrum, National AAW president; Pam Townsend, Maine Agri-Women president; and Carol Adams, Diane Hemphill, Sandra Durepo, Dixie Delong, Kristie Bray, Nancy Wright, Roberta LaBrie, Martha Lavertu, Kristin Devoe, Mary Anne Buck, Judy Kenney, Joan Flewelling, Valorie Flewelling, Ann Fitz-Patrick Jones, Patti McCrum, Brianne O’Leary and Deena Albert Parks.
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Contributed photo The Steering Committee for the Agri-Women’s National Convention held recently in Portland included, from left, Maine Agri-Women President Pam Townsend, Diane Hemphill, Carol Adams and Sandra Durepo. |
A variety of issues concerning many aspects of agriculture and the future were addressed by speakers, including Walt Whitcomb, Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Marge Kilkelly, senior policy adviser to Sen. Angus King; and John Rebar, executive director of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Also speaking were Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America; Lt. Col. (Retired) John J. McDaniel, founder of Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation, Inc; and Kathy Day, RN, patient activist and advocate. A “Maine Lobster Event” was held at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester with downeast humorist Gary Crocker providing entertainment. Entertainment at the annual banquet and awards presentation was provided by the band “Ted and the Boys” from Houlton and Portland.
Two days of annual business sessions focused on the many aspects and diversities facing agriculture today. The election of officers was held, along with National Committee and Executive Board meetings.
The Veritas Award was presented to Michael Coffman, PhD, president of Environmental Perspectives Incorporated (epi-us.com) and CEO of Sovereignty International (sovereignty.net) in Bangor. He has had over 30 years of university teaching, research and consulting experience in forestry and environmental sciences. The coveted Veritas Award is given to a person or persons who have given public witness to the “pursuit of truth” in accordance to the principals and the AAW’s statement of philosophy.
Tours during the convention were taken to Pineland Farms Dairy, Hydroponic Greenhouse and Creamery; Green Thumb Farms; Maine Line Products; Allagash Brewing Company; Linda Bean’s Lobster Facility; Breakwater Vineyards; and the LL Bean Flagship Store, along with a stop at Owl’s Head Lighthouse and Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern.
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Contributed photo Pam Townsend, left, of Mars Hill and Diane Hemphill of Presque Isle received the American Agri-Women President’s Award at the 40th national AAW convention in Portland recently. Townsend, president of Maine Agri-Women, and Hemphill were recognized for their commitment and service to the national organization. |
The midyear AAW policy meeting will be held in Wichita, Kansas in March, and there will be a fly-in/symposium in June in Washington, D.C. The next annual convention will be held in Raleigh, N.C.
American Agri-Women is a national coalition of more than 40,000 farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing 60 state and commodity affiliates. It is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization and the oldest women’s agricultural organization in the country, recognized as one of the top 12 U.S. women’s business groups by the Business Women’s Organization. Membership is comprised of individual members, plus 56 state and commodity organizations.
Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers, advocate for agriculture and offer networking and professional development opportunities.
