Sarah Vogel, April Martin announced as keynote speakers for MFU’s Eastern Women’s Conference

Montana Farmers Union is pleased to announce keynote speakers for its Women’s Conference in Eastern Montana Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Sidney. Attendees will hear from advocate, author, attorney, and the first female Commissioner of Agriculture in North Dakota – Sarah Vogel, as well as rancher and changemaker April Martin.

“Attendees at the Eastern Women’s Conference can look forward to being inspired by speakers, uplifted by other Ladies Who Ag, and leaving with relevant skills and deeper insight for immediate impact in their communities and on their farms and ranches,” said Jodi Koterba, who serves as MFU’s education director and is helping organize the conference.

Vogel, who lives in North Dakota, is a longtime advocate for family farmers, women, and Native Americans, continually fighting for the little guy. As one of the country’s foremost agriculture lawyers, she brings unique perspective to the current challenges Montana farmers and ranchers face. She served two terms as North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and wrote a memoir about her landmark class action lawsuit, Coleman v. Block, titled “The Farmer’s Lawyer.” In her book, Vogel recounts her time as a young lawyer and single mother representing 240,000 family farmers who were facing foreclosure during the 1980s farm crisis.  

She has received numerous awards and honors, including a Distinguished Service Award from the American Agricultural Law Association and a Lifetime Achievement award from the Democratic Nonpartisan League of North Dakota. 

April Martin, director/effector of the Wild Rose Center who ranches in Busby, joins Vogel as a keynote speaker for the conference. Martin is firm believer in the power of women and community. She leads programming aimed to inspire and support all on this journey called life. She was raised on her tribal homelands in Southeast Montana, where she now raises fat, happy cows. She also acts as an ambassador of Native culture.

MFU’s Eastern Women’s Conference attendees also will learn about physical and mental wellbeing, work at the Sidney Research Station, line dancing, sign painting, and marketing, while also building new connections and community and celebrating together. 

“MFU’s Eastern Women’s Conference is a different experience every year. Because MFU rotates to new locations, we get to experience the best of different towns around the regions, and, even more importantly, meet amazing ladies from each location,” said Sarah Degn, an MFU board member who farms in Sidney. “I’m looking forward to the conference coming back to my hometown, Sidney, this year! We have some great speakers and activities planned, along with tasty local food and time to make new friends and have fun with those who’ve come back again.” 

The conference is one of two MFU Women’s Conferences, with the other taking place the Feb. 6-9 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Women are invited to attend one or both! The Eastern Conference program will take place at the Sidney Yellowstone Merc, with lodgings at the Candlewood Suites Sidney by IHG.  

Learn more, check out the agenda, and register at https://montanafarmersunion.com/news-events/womens-conference/.