Spend an inspiring morning over coffee with Bethany and Danielle, the owners of Driftless Tannery!

Learn about the how and why they do what they do, sharing both the tanning process alongside the inspiring story of these Soil Sisters following their dreams and starting this successful new venture amidst the pandemic.

Offering tanning services to farmers for value-added items for their farms, and gathering hides that would otherwise become a part of the waste stream is the tannery's mission, honoring the animals by preserving their beauty. Doing so naturally, without harmful chemicals, supports Danielle and Bethany's passion for soil and water quality, improving our environment.

Bethany and Danielle will explain the tanning process, from harvest and hide prep to finished home goods or garment. 

Preserving the hides that their clients trust them with is something they do with great deference, operating with the cleanest, most natural methods, with respect and devotion to the process. It’s how they farm and work.

Coffee, tea and locally-sourced snacks will be served.  Shelter will be available in case of inclement weather.  

There is an optional indoor tannery tour at the end for those comfortable where we will walk you through the actual process and equipment.

Workshop fee:  $50 adults

BONUS: Registration includes a free copy of the book Renewing the Countryside: WISCONSIN Stories of Sustainable Living, Working & Playing (a $26.95 value) will be made available to every couple, household or family participating in this workshop (one free copy per address).

For more information on other Soil Sisters Aug. 5-7 weekend workshops, culinary events, lodging and more, see www.soilsisterswi.org

Soil Sisters Event Policies:

• This is a workshop designed for adults 18 years of age or older and each need to have their own paid registration. If childcare is an issue and you need to bring your children in order to attend the workshop, please let us know in advance.

• All Soil Sisters events will be fully outdoors with space for social distancing. Masks are not required.

• Dress for the weather. Bring sunscreen, sun hat and good walking shoes.

• Leave your pets at home as these are working farms with other animals.

• All Soil Sisters event tickets are non-refundable.

About Bethany Storm &  Danielle Weder

Bethany:
I am a wife, mother, biologist and small farmer. The animals on my farm are raised with compassion and die with dignity. After having many of my own flock’s skins tanned by large scale chemical-heavy processors, I sought to find a different way. As with my farming practices, I’ve looked to the past to find out how our ancestors did it. Driftless Tannery was born out of a desire to respect the earth, while preserving and honoring my animals.-Bethany

Danielle:

I moved to the driftless region of Wisconsin in 2016 from the Chicagoland area. I had spent 32 years working in the international transportation industry and I needed a serious change. On our homestead my husband and I raise laying hens, meat birds, turkeys and lamb for our freezer. I barter with other farmHers for the rest of our meat. We grow our own veggies and raise bees. I've rescued a small herd of alpacas and have two breeding ewes who help us with land management. I feel so blessed to be part of the amazing group of women in the county, working towards making our land a better place for all.-Danielle

About Driftless Tannery
Located in Southwestern Wisconsin’s beautiful driftless region, Driftless Tannery is a small, women-owned and operated company that strives to treat animals, the environment, and our customers with respect. Every hide is tanned naturally and responsibly, without the use of heavy metals or harsh chemicals, giving our farmers and retail clients beautiful sheepskins and goat hides, naturally.

Soil Sisters is an award-winning project of the non-profit Renewing the Countryside, bringing together women championing local food, community building, sustainable and organic agriculture and vibrant rural communities for collaboration, networking and cooking up change. The founding Soil Sisters in southern Wisconsin organize the annual Soil Sisters event the first weekend in August, the largest women-farmer led event of its kind in the country. Since 2012, the Soil Sisters open their barn doors and farms for various workshops, culinary events and more.