The risks and opportunities have never been greater in American agriculture. Today’s markets require farmers to implement impeccable farm business practices and stay up to date on the changing managerial landscape. To prepare the nearly 1 million female farmers in the U.S. for the road ahead, Top Producer is proud to offer an event dedicated exclusively to women in agriculture.

Now in its fifth year, Top Producer’s Executive Women in Agriculture Conference continues to feature dynamic keynote speakers and educational breakout sessions, as well as an evening networking reception. Topics at this year’s conference include macro forces affecting ag markets, succession planning advice, time management tips, business diversification strategies, consumer trends and a panel discussion with women farm owners, managers and decision-makers.

“About 30% of U.S. farm operators are women, according to USDA,” said Top Producer Editor Sara Schafer. “These women are primary operators, human resource managers, record-keepers and support staff for cutting-edge operations. The Executive Women in Agriculture conference comes at a monumental time as we transition a large percentage of farms to the next generation and as more women are working in agriculture.”

A few speaker highlights for 2015:

Beth Ford is executive vice president and chief supply chain and operations officer for Land O’Lakes, Inc. She is responsible for taking products and services from insight to customer delivery in the U.S. and globally. She’ll discuss the integral role women have in agriculture and what’s ahead for the industry.

Chris Soules co-owns the family’s third generation farming operation, Soules Farms, in partnership with parents in Arlington, Iowa. He is also a television star from The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars and Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition.

Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. Her work has appeared in Fast Company, Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and other publications. She will provide key insight on how to balance farm, family and other responsibilities.

This two-day seminar will be held Dec. 3 and 4 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago and will offer women a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts and network with other like-minded women from farming operations. Click here to read articles and view photos from last year’s event.

More information can be found at www.ExecWomenInAg.com. The conference is sponsored by Advance Trading Inc., BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Dow AgroSciences, Farmers Business Network, Farm Credit, Granular, Illinois Soybean Association, John Deere, K·Coe Isom, Monsanto, O&B Barnstorm, National Pork Checkoff, Stewart Peterson, Top Third Ag Marketing and United Soybean Board.