Women from all over the Midwest will soon have the opportunity to discuss their growing role in agriculture — a career not often identified with women.

More than 200 women from every part of the agriculture community will converge for the first Women in Denim conference at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.

Women in Denim joins women who share a common connection with some form of agriculture.

“This conference encompasses the whole woman,” said Diane Radke, Women in Denim planning committee member. “Whether they are either in marketing, combining or just a stay at home mom, we all come together and have the same background in ag.”

Radke said she expects a great turnout for the first year.

“We are looking at a max of 250, with the majority coming from northwest Iowa, so for the first time, we are really excited,” Radke said.

The conference was organized in part by members of the ISU Extension.

“This is mainly to stress the importance between the farm world and the ag world and the new roles women play in those,” said Marilyn Monson, managing director of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce and member of the planning committee.

Open to anyone who is touched by agriculture, the conference has attracted mostly an older generation but would like to include younger women as well.

“Anytime you are involved with ag, you can share ideas and thoughts to the younger women,” Radke said.

“It’s good for them to get exposed to different things to take away for later down the road.”

Radke said she was amazed at the communication between the young and the old at a previous conference about work habits and how the agriculture community has changed over the years.

“Rules have changed so much for rural women,” said Jerry Chizek, ISU Extension education director for Calvin County and a member of the planning committee. “Those roles have changed with off-farm employment and also doing what they did before. This conference is a nice chance for them to gather, network, become educated and just have fun.”

Networking includes creating friendships and learning about other resources available for families in rural areas said Rhonda Christensen, ISU Extension education director for Buena Vista County and member of the planning committee.

The conference, which runs Friday through Sunday, will cover four topics within 28 sessions. Interested people may still enroll for the conference up until Friday. The cost is $40.