KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Reaching out to minority farmers is the thrust behind the National Women In Agriculture Assoc. (NWIAA). Now in its seventh year, the NWIAA strives to bring empower socially disadvantaged women in rural and urban America to gain available local and federal resources.

“Our purpose is to educate, develop and provide networking opportunities so that bonds of sisterhood may be created among all women,” said Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, the organization’s founder and executive director.

“We want to provide vital opportunities for rural and urban communities to equip them for tomorrow while engaging them in today, while making investments within society that will help move the U.S. towards an authentic and sustainable future.”

To help rejuvenate and revitalize the efforts of this movement, she and NWIAA associates host an annual symposium for minority farmers. This year it will be take place in downtown Knoxville April 16-18. This year’s theme is “Save and Educate Youth through Agriculture.”

“Our overall goal is to develop locally grown food security systems in underserved communities or food deserts,” Gray-Steele explained. “We want to guide our young members of society to sustain healthy lifestyles and provide future generations with well-rounded role models.

“In doing so we will help increase the number of minority participants in the agriculture and farming industries. The goal is to promote character, health and income from the ground up.”

Gray-Steele and her staff accomplish much of that with their annual symposiums. The first day of this year’s will include consecutive seminars, beginning with “How to Get Started in Farming and Cooperative Forestry.” Next up will be a session on “Building Your Farm Business and Value Added Farming.” The final session will address crop insurance and the small-scale farmer, as well as “Conservation Basics.”

Day two of will feature breakout sessions dealing with urban forestry, agriculture safety, healthy living, healthy soil, creating neighborhood-based economies, animal health, raw foods and hydroponics. On the evening of the final day there will be a farmers’ ball for attendees.

“Our agriculture organization operates uniquely to ensure true growth and sustainability for the next generation,” Gray-Steele said. “We strive to serve and educate by innovative outreach techniques and sustainable youth programs. We at NWIAA bring recognition and honor to minority women as nurturing, college-educated entrepreneurs.”

She was born and raised on a farm in rural Oklahoma. She received a legal degree at New York University Law School before returning to Oklahoma, where she earned her MBA. Gray-Steele is an active Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Advisory Main Council Member and serves as a USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service advisory councilwoman. She also serves on various scholarship committees to help youth.

Gray-Steele is well known in the agriculture industry as the “Agribusiness Diva.” Her ag colleagues in Washington, D.C., call her “The Terminator” because of her savvy business skills coupled with her farm background. Because of her desire to serve the socially and economically disadvantage, she established the NWIAA in 2008 and has worked diligently to bring awareness of sustainability to those in need of a healthier lifestyle.

 “Great things are achieved when adequate resources are coupled with energy, initiative and perseverance of women in rural and urban communities,” she explained.

NWIAA chapters are in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. This year’s symposium will be held at the Knoxville Marriott at 501 E. Hill Ave. in Knoxville. For more information, call 405-424-4623.