American Agri-Women elects two new officers at annual convention
Colchester, Vt. (AgPR) February 26, 2019 – American Agri-Women installed its executive committee at its annual convention, held recently in Springfield, Ill. Two new officers joined the standing members of the executive committee.
Lesley Schmidt of Kansas Agri-Women was elected to a two-year term as vice president of education. Natalina Sents from Iowa Agri-Women was elected to a two-term as secretary.
Officers returning for their second year of a two-year term are Jeanette Lombardo of California Women for Agriculture, president; Karolyn Zurn of Minnesota Agri-Women, first vice president; Katie Yost of Montana Agri-Women, treasurer; and Doris Mold of Minnesota Agri-Women, past president.
Schmidt has a passion for agriculture and teaching others about the ag industry. She represents the fifth-generation of her Kansas family farm, where she raises crops and livestock with her family. Schmidt is also a civil designer, cartographer and permitting specialist for a private engineering firm. She has previously served as president of Kansas Agri-Women, is a current board member of the AAW Foundation, Agri-Business Council of Wichita and Challenge Foundation. She has been involved in many other agriculture and community organizations including 4-H, CommonGround, Kansas Beef Endurance Team, the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program with an international study tour in South Africa and Young Professionals of Wichita. Schmidt graduated from Fort Hays State University with degrees in technology studies, agriculture and certificates in leadership studies and civic leadership. She is also a certified sports coach and track and field official, with the goal of officiating in the Olympics.
Sents has served as interim secretary since February 2018. Immediately after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in agricultural business, Sents pitched, planned, and partnered with Beck’s Hybrids on a year-long 50 state road trip, honoring farmers through blogs and photography in all 50 states. After completing the “Why I Farm Road Trip” and returning to the Midwest, she finished a number of freelance projects, and began speaking about her traveling experiences around the country. In October 2017, Sents joined the Successful Farming staff as the Digital Content Editor of Agriculture.com. In that role, she coordinates the back end of the website, and manages the brand’s social media accounts and strategy. While new machinery is her area of focus, Sents enjoys writing a variety of news and information in a way that serves farmers. Those responsibilities allow her to travel several times a month. Outside her full-time job, she still speaks at conferences around the country and does consulting work on the side. As a hobby, Sents works in the restaurant industry, and enjoys learning about other perspectives of food and agriculture through that lens.
About American Agri-Women
American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media on Facebook (facebook.com/AgriWomen), Twitter (@Women4Ag) and Instagram (@americanagriwomen).