Farm Briefs

'Women in Ag' gives girls career options

Illinois Agri-Women will host its second annual “Women Changing the Face of Agriculture” career event on Friday, March 4, in Bloomington.

The location for the event will be at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center. The theme for this year’s conference is “Building SteAm” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math) and provides a unique opportunity for high school and college-aged girls to interact with agriculture professionals, to learn about potential career paths and requirements for a successful career as women in agriculture.

A variety of women from all facets of agriculture will share  their professional experiences with the attendees, and the girls will be able to ask questions. Colleen Callahan, state director of Rural Development, will be the keynote speaker.

For more information visit www.womenchangingthefaceofagriculture.com, or call Penny Lauritzen, Illinois Agri-Women president, at (815) 535-4141, or e-mail her at lauritzen@farmestate.com.

GROWMARK has good financial year

GROWMARK officials reported audited financial results for the fiscal year that ended Aug.  31. Senior Vice President of Finance Jeff Solberg announced sales of $6.1 billion for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. GROWMARK’s net income was $99 million.

“The strength of our operating results and our balance sheet is due to a system of member cooperatives that are very well managed,” he said. “The six highest years of income in company history have occurred in the past six years.”

Patronage refunds in the amount of $70 million will be returned to GROWMARK member owners in the plant food, crop protection, seed, energy, facility planning & supply, and retail supplies business units.

GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in 23 states and Ontario, Canada. GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives.

More information is available at www.growmark.com.