With all the concerns about this summer’s drought, Kentucky Women in Agriculture added a forum on drought disaster to its annual conference. The program will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, Nov. 1.Discussion will include options available through the U.S. Farm Service Agency, including disaster payments and emergency loan program. Women involved in agriculture or those interested in agriculture, rural living and local foods are invited to attend the conference which runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Lexington.Kentucky women have always played an important role in agriculture, and in 1999 the Kentucky Ag Women’s Leadership Network was established to enhance those efforts. In 2003, the group incorporated and became known as Kentucky Women in Agriculture, Inc. The group meets annually to focus on ways to empower women through education, involvement and action. The focus of this year’s meeting will be “Local Foods – Growing Our Heritage.” The event will include workshops, presentations and roundtable discussions.Pre-conference workshops will be conducted Oct. 31 and have limited availability. Conference activities begin Nov. 1 with concurrent sessions running throughout the day offering participants a full slate of options. A Taste of Kentucky Proud reception featuring products from around the state will be held following the drought forum. A series of roundtable discussions will be held the following morning.The conference will be at the Crowne Plaza Campbell House Hotel in Lexington. Fee information and registration forms, as well as a full itinerary for the conference can be found at http://www.kywomeninag.org. For other questions regarding the conference contact Ashley Osborne at info@kywomeninag.org or call 877-266-8823.