The AgHerculture Conference is returning this August, offering Oklahoma high school and college women a unique opportunity to explore careers, build connections, and strengthen their place in the future of agriculture. During a conversation with Bryce Boyer, Director of Communications for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Boyer told associate farm reporter Carli Davenport the event is designed to help young women discover where they fit in Oklahoma’s agricultural industry.
Boyer explained that the conference is split into two separate events, each tailored to a specific age group and stage of life. “We host a two-day event for Oklahoma high school and college girls from across the state,” Boyer said.
The collegiate event will take place on August 21 at the Phillips Pavilion, where college-aged women from across Oklahoma will gather for an evening focused on professional development and relationship building.
Boyer said the evening is centered around creating meaningful connections. “They’ll be able to hear from some inspiring leaders in the industry and kind of see what career paths might be available, learn about some new avenues in the industry, and network with some other girls who are about the same age,” Boyer said.
He noted the event offers more than just networking—it also creates space for mentorship. “It’s a really good way to maybe meet a new mentor or strengthen a relationship with an existing mentor,” Boyer said.
Building the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
The second event, designed for high school students, will be held on August 22 in Guthrie. This full-day conference is aimed at helping young women explore the many career paths available in agriculture.
Boyer said the high school session includes hands-on learning opportunities, interactive stations, and exposure to professions many students may not have considered. “We set up some inspirational speakers. They get to meet mentors, they get to network, and we build in time for them to socialize with each other,” Boyer said.
The conference also includes career-focused educational booths covering a wide range of agricultural sectors. “We’ll have agritourism and agribusiness come in and talk about what it’s like to run their own business focused around agriculture, or we’ll have a veterinarian come in and explain some of the things they do day in and day out,” Boyer said.
Participants will also hear from industry organizations like the Oklahoma Pork Council, learning more about specific sectors within Oklahoma agriculture.
Boyer emphasized that exposing students to a variety of opportunities is one of the conference’s biggest goals. “Not every kid growing up in agriculture knows about every avenue or career path,” Boyer said.
Featured Speaker Encourages Young Women to Find Their Voice
This year’s collegiate keynote speaker is Tyler Schuster, an agricultural entrepreneur from Texas and founder of Brands and Blazers.
Boyer said Schuster’s message will focus on leadership, confidence, and learning to claim a seat at the table. “She’s going to talk about what it takes to build your own company, build your own brand,” Boyer said.
He said one of Schuster’s most important messages centers on helping young women recognize their value. “There might be times where it feels like you don’t have a voice or a seat at the table,” Boyer said. “What her story really shows is how you do have a voice at the table, how you can find that voice, and how you can make yourself a prominent feature in agriculture.”
Boyer also highlighted Oklahoma’s strong legacy of women in agriculture. “Oklahoma is leading the way when it comes to females in agriculture,” he said. “We are a top 10 state in female-managed farms.”
That history, he said, makes it even more important to support the next generation. “We want to make sure the next generation is just as encouraged as the current generations are when it comes to finding their spot at the table.”
Why Separate High School and College Students?
Boyer said separating the two age groups allows the conference to better serve each audience.
For college students, the focus is heavily on professional networking and mentorship. “They’re probably going to be entering the workforce about the same time, so they’re going to cross paths a little more regularly,” Boyer said. That creates opportunities to strengthen relationships now that may benefit them later in their careers.
For high school students, the emphasis shifts toward exploration and planning for the future. “The high school one is much more focused on what they can go do in college, or maybe helping them figure out what that next step would be,” Boyer said.
New this year, the high school event will feature a college fair during lunch, allowing students to connect directly with schools and agricultural programs. “These girls can go talk to OSU, NEO, or some of the different colleges we have coming in to see what a good education path might be for them,” Boyer said.
Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for both Ag Her Culture events.
Boyer encouraged interested students to sign up soon through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture website, under the Programs and Events section, available here.
“We do want to note this is just for the students,” Boyer said. “To make sure the networking and mentorship goes smoothly, this will just be for the students.”
