BURNS, Ore. — When Juliana Ranches noticed how few women asked questions at beef cattle meetings, she decided to change that dynamic.
“I know so many great women doing amazing research in the agricultural field, so I decided to have an event with all women speakers."
In 2021, Ranches, an assistant professor and beef Extension specialist at Oregon State University, launched RancHER, a webinar series designed to uplift and connect women in beef ranching through education and shared expertise.
“I know so many great women doing amazing research in the agricultural field, so I decided to have an event with all women speakers,” said Ranches, who is based at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Burns. “I designed something to make women comfortable.”
The inaugural RancHER took place in December 2021 with support from the OSU Women’s Giving Circle. The free online sessions featured women presenters on a variety of beef production topics.
The series drew about 120 participants out of more than 200 registrations, with attendees joining from across the United States, Canada and Brazil. Turnout far exceeded the 30 or fewer people who typically attend Ranches’ in-person field days.
Encouraged by the success, Ranches continued the program. There have been three subsequent RanCHER conferences, held each fall. Since its launch, RancHER has hosted more than 24 female speakers and attracted over 500 participants worldwide.
Why it matters
The series has gained momentum for several reasons:
- All sessions showcase women speakers, offering representation and comfort for attendees.
- Free and online, it reaches ranchers in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and beyond.
- Covers everything from reproductive technology and nutrition to environmental resilience, advocacy and technology.
- Strong attendance and positive reception show its value to women in beef ranching.
Recognition for leadership
Ranches’ innovative programming has gained national attention. She's received the American Society of Animal Science Western Section’s Extension Award, recognizing her leadership in outreach and education.
Since joining Oregon State in 2020, Ranches has developed multiple programs for producers, including calving schools across Oregon and the Ranching Academy, a yearlong hands-on education series. She also co-coordinates Oregon’s Beef Quality Assurance program and contributes articles to agricultural publications.
Internationally, Ranches has been invited to speak at conferences in Brazil, Germany and Mexico. But one of her standout achievements remains the creation of RancHER, which continues to inspire women and younger generations in agriculture.
“It ended up much better than I anticipated,” Ranches said of the first RancHER. “I got lots of compliments and people were excited about it. They want me to have it again. I’m happy about it.”
Previously titled OSU Extension features women in conference for beef ranchers
