Osage, Maries and Gasconade Soil and Water Conservation Districts on Sept. 7 hosted their eighth annual OMG AgriPride Women in Agriculture event at the White Mule Winery, with 250 ladies in attendance, according to Diana M. Dean, district specialist 4 manager.

“It went very well, was well received,” Dean said. “A beautiful day and beautiful weather. Everyone was very pleased.”

Joe Aull, FSA president, informed those present about available funding for farmers, and crop insurance possibilities.

“We have crop insurance available on crops such as pumpkins, melons, grapes, tomatoes, and loans for beginning farmers,” Aull said. “Get acquainted with our county offices. We will try to help as much as we can. We are trying to help new farmers.”

Aull introduced Keynote Speaker Susie Thompson who spoke last on “How Attitude Changes Everything.”

“I appreciate what agriculture does for life, culture and family,” said Thompson, who identifies her current favorite role in life as being a farmer’s wife.

The vice-president of human resources and culture officer at Wood an Houston Bank in Marshall has been a part-time motivational speaker for the last 15 years.

“I move trucks in heels,” she said. “I have moved an auger wagon. It’s not pretty and I am usually a last resort.”

Thompson said her biggest tips aren’t mind-blowing.

“I am blessed and I share tips and techniques and thought provoking questions,” she said. “When you leave here and lay your head on your pillow tonight, I hope you are filled with peace and positivity.”

Thompson said how people communicate, their mood and mindset are a big factor in attitude.

“A mindset, a choice we have the freedom to make,” she said. “Are you a glass half-full person?”

She gave advice on U-Turn thinking with the four L’s.

“Language, Laughter, Limitations, Live-on,” she said.

With amusing antidotes from her past, Thompson explained how she conquered and overcame situations such as her best friend being murdered while studying abroad, and the near-loss of a grand baby.

“For every negative thought, say two positives,” she said. “Set the tone for the conversation, before and after. Embrace the power of music to get you through. Do as women do and celebrate each other. Sometimes we need to draw on positivity. If you believe, you will achieve with faith, conviction, positivity and approach. You will be unstoppable.”

Earlier speakers were Rachel O’Halloran, a nutrition and health specialist with the University of Missouri Extension “on a mission to serve Missouri by delivering the resources of our UM System Campuses to communities throughout the state.” O’Halloran discussed home food preservation n targeting quality home freezer meals as a strategy to promote healthful diets and reduce food waste.

Prior to O’Halloran, Tony White, owner and operator of Tony’s Family Farms, “a company dedicated to delivering hyper-fresh, mouth-watering produce year-round, rain or shine.”

White and his family provide fresh produce to area restaurants.

This year’s group of workshop speakers were organized by Gasconade County Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as Osage and Maries Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Farm Credit Services, White Mule, Legends Bank, Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners Inc., The Missouri Bank, Trophy Properties and Auction, Nowack Cattle Co, Rudy Lane Flower Farm, and Jost Tire.

The event also hosted 11 vendors, including Carey Portell, the Women in Aug 2015 keynote speaker. During her own motivational speech, Portell had talked about an accident three years prior that would eventually leave her wheel chair bound. Since the event nine years ago, Portell, the wife of a farmer and a former active farm hand herself, is 80 percent wheelchair bound, but has started a candle and photography store.

“Portell’s Place makes candles and sells farm photography,” Portell said. “It’s about choosing a life you want out of the life you were given.”

Portell is a living motivational inspiration.

Owensville Future Farmers of America students also assisted by directing parking at the event. Students Landon Kramme, Eli Hiatt, Gracie Engelbrecht, Jayden Gerlemann were led by Sherry Byram.