Weekend of Ag events successful

Agriculture events held in Sidney last Friday were a success according to officials of both groups and members of the Ag. community really came together in support of their combined cause.

One event was the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Ag. Committee’s Annual Ag. Social and the other was the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Sidney Extension Office’s Annual Women in Agriculture Conference - “Denim & Diamonds.”

The Denim and Diamonds Conference was open to the public but it was stressed by Lynn McKinney, Office Manager of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Cheyenne County Office, that it was to be a strictly Ag. based conference.

The conference ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sidney’s Holiday Inn and cost $40 for those who did not preregister before March 28.

“Information, inspiration, humor and advice are on tap at the Women In Agriculture Conference. It is intended for women who are involved in day-to-day farm and ranch business decisions who want to learn more about farm & ranch management, who are landowners, or who want to broaden their knowledge of agribusiness,” said extension office representatives.

Lunch was provided to the women and multiple organizations had booths for them to look at in between the presentations from guest speakers aimed to enlighten the women of agricultural items they may have previously been unaware of.

The speakers ranged from inspirational to informative, and some small business owners told their stories as well.

For example, at the event representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service explained easy backyard conservation projects and a representative from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Marla Marx, explained to women some of the new rural business programs, as well as rural housing programs.

The conference was an overall success and over 75 guests attended, said officials.

According to Glenna Phelps-Aurich, Executive Director of the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the chamber’s Ag. committee, the Annual Ag. Social also turned out to be great.

“Anyone that is involved in agriculture in any way are welcome to come to the social every year,” said Phelps-Aurich.

The Ag. Social commenced Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at Buffalo Point and served as a platform to thank those in the Ag. community.

“It was a free appreciation dinner for all the Ag. members of the community,” said Phelps-Aurich. “We wanted to recognize them and make sure that they know that we appreciate their contributions, services and all that they do for the community.”

Attendants did not have to pay any entry fee, and the night was solely for appreciation, she said.

The event included a meal and door prizes donated by sponsors.

Sponsors are categorized as platinum, gold or silver sponsors by the amount that they donate to the cause each year.

This year platinum sponsors of the event included: 21st Century Equipment, Adams Bank and Trust, American National Bank, Crossroads Coop, Farmers National Company, Floyd’s Truck Center, Great Western Bank, The Insurance Store, KSID Radio, Points West Community Bank and Insurance, Re/Max Partners, Sauders Automotive, Security First Bank and Insurance, Steffens Home Interiors and Appliance Center, Tri-State G&T, Wheat Belt PPD and Wolf Auto/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center.

Gold sponsors included: Farm Credit Services of America, Frenchman Valley Coop and Scoular Grain and Sidney Feed.

Silver sponsors were: Cabela’s, Dietrich Distributing, Dude’s Steakhouse, High Plains Budweiser, Potter State Bank, Rood’s Tire Center, Sam & Louie’s Pizzeria, Wal-Mart, Watchorn Seed-Pioneer Hybrid, WNCC and Buffalo Point.

“It’s a pretty big event. We had about 120 people that we served and we had a couple of local talented people sing for us (Nathan Morgan and Jaclyn Reeder) in between door prizes,” said Phelps-Aurich.

“It’s not always local entertainment however,” she said. “They have brought other people in the past like comedians from Denver and other storytellers.”

The meal consisted of pulled-pork sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans and chips, and the executive chamber director said that the event is held around the same time every year.

“It was a fun and nice evening,” she said.

Members of the Ag. Committee that made the whole night possible were Pam Wieser, Michelle Hodges, Paul Schadegg, Larry Reiser, Joel Ahrens, Linda Roelle, Diann Steffens, Bill Butkus and Glenna Phelps-Aurich.