University of Tennessee Extension is pleased to host an event celebrating the strength and resilience of women in agriculture. The 2026 Ladies Raising Livestock Conference aims to inspire and connect the livestock business community.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2026, at the UT Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville. An optional preconference takes place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on February 19.
“This event offers livestock producers from across Tennessee and beyond a weekend of learning, connection and encouragement where they can grow stronger together,” says Jessica Wilkinson Smith, an agriculture and natural resources agent with UT Extension Roane County and one of the conference organizers. “We invite everyone to join us for inspiring sessions, new pre-conference tracks and an empowering keynote speaker.”
The keynote speaker for the event is Coach Kiah, a nationally known advocate for women in agriculture. Through a heartfelt and humorous storytelling style, Kiah weaves together her agricultural background and personal journey to deliver a powerful message of resilience. Her talk, “Grow Through It,” encourages people to bloom through discomfort and keep moving forward—no matter the challenges they face.