Oregon Women for Agriculture State Officers

The leadership of our organization. 

2024 State Officers

Oregon Women for Agriculture is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of representatives from all active chapters and led by the Executive Committee. All organization business is conducted at monthly board meetings. 

Sarah Puls

Sarah Puls

President

Sarah grew up on citrus farm in the Central Valley of California and spent her summers on the family’s grass seed farm in Monroe Oregon. Sarah is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) in the State of Oregon. Sarah has worked in private sector and local government in environmental project management; environmental food, pool, and lodging health and safety; and safe drinking water programs. She is currently applying her environmental and agriculture knowledge and experience at the State level as the Emergency Preparedness Planner for the State of Oregon. Sarah is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Systems Management with a concentration in environmental management. Sarah has furthered her education obtaining a Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health with a concentration in environmental management through Columbia Southern University. Sarah is the current president of the Oregon Environmental Health Association and a member of the National Environmental Health Association. She is also Past President of the Lane County Chapter of OWA.

Bethany Woodall

Bethany Woodall

First Vice President

Bethany’s passion for agriculture was ignited early on, nurtured by her involvement with 4-H and FFA.  Never one to do anything by half measures, Bethany jumped feet first into the Eastern Oregon Chapter of OWA.  Her involvement began in 2015, and she swiftly took on the role of Chapter Secretary.  By 2022, her journey had led her to the position of Chapter President, a role she continues to fulfill with steadfast commitment.

In the midst of her bustling life, Bethany manages the office of a local potato farm, runs her own mobile tool business, and oversees the financials for her husband’s mobile repair service.  Together with her husband Larry and their daughter Evelene, Bethany cherishes the time spent with friends, lending a helping hand, embarking on camping adventures, and exploring the wilderness on 4-wheelers.

Michelle Carmony

Michelle Carmony

Second Vice President

Michelle is a born and raised Oregonian. With her husband, Randy, she raised two daughters on a small ranch raising cattle, horses and hay. While her daughters were growing, she was a proud stay-at-home mom and active volunteer at their schools and with 4-H and FFA programs. She served as the PTA club treasurer, soccer club treasurer and newsletter editor/publisher for the Oregon Foundation Quarter Horse club. She also owned and operated a western clothing store for five years. She now keeps busy with her five grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Dona Coon inspired her to get involved with Oregon Women for Agriculture and her favorite project is working with the Agriculture in the Classroom Literacy Project.  She believes it’s imperative that we engage our youth in agriculture.

Debbie Burns

Debbie Burns

Recording Secretary

Debbie’s roots are in northern California, in a town that was known for cows and eggs, that all changed the day she joined 4-H and decided to try sheep as a project, along with sewing and home environment. She studied clothing and textiles in college and spent 15 years in the apparel industry.  Eventually family and livestock called her to Oregon and today Debbie and her family operate Burns-Hale Livestock in Lebanon, raising Registered Hampshire and Montadale sheep, as well as club lambs. Her husband, Loyal, works for Veterinary Service Incorporated and son, LR, is a student at Oregon State University. Debbie volunteers with the 4-H program and participates in many other sheep and agriculture related groups.

Jenny Hitner

Jenny Hitner

Treasurer

Jenny is a native Oregonian having grown up in Pleasant Hill. She has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics from Pacific University and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University. She worked as a mechanical engineer designing farm equipment for 8 years then transitioned into real estate after her first son was born. Jenny specializes in forest, farm/ranch and rural properties. Jenny is also actively involved in her family’s forest management and forest trucking businesses. She is a member of the Lane County Chapter of OWA, current state treasurer and member of the legislative committee. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Garren and two sons Ryder and Nash. Jenny and her family currently reside in Alpine, Oregon.

Dawn Alexander

Dawn Alexander

Corresponding Secretary

Dawn is a recently retired elementary teacher of 36 years, now a part time substitute. Dawn serves on several boards involving ag literacy. Besides being the state Corresponding Secretary for the Oregon Women for Agriculture, she is on the board for the Deschutes Co. Farm Bureau, Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation Board, and the education chairman for the Tri-County Cattlewomen. She also loves history and is currently serving as the President for the Crook County Historical Society for the Bowman Museum in Prineville, Oregon. Dawn and her husband, Ron, maintain a small herd of Hereford cattle that they run with their son, Cooper, in Redmond. She is also the author of a book titled ‘Farm Anatomy Activities for Kids,’ which contains 20 short lessons about farming and ranching, covering plants, animals, soil, by-products, and more. Each lesson includes a fun activity for kids to reinforce the concepts learned. Dawn is enthusiastic about teaching future consumers the significance of agriculture, emphasizing that ‘almost everything begins on a farm.’

Mary Hood

Mary Hood

Past President

Mary started her banking career in 1991 and has worked entirely within the agricultural industry right here in the great state of Oregon since her first day. She is proud to say that she has ‘grown up’ in this industry. Today you can find her working as the team leader for Umpqua Bank’s agricultural lending team; the largest lending team, dedicated entirely to agriculture, at any commercial bank in the Pacific Northwest.

Along with her duties as past-president for OWA, Mary is past-president of the Linn-Benton Chapter and is Treasurer for the Oregon Ryegrass Growers Association. She is a past-president for Oregon AgFest and is very involved in countless other industry events and meetings. Mary and her family live in North Albany on their own small piece of acreage.

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