Soil Sisters Share: A buffet of resources, support and inspiration for women farmers
Fri Aug 5, 2022 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM CDT
Christensen Farm, 53522
Description
Are you a woman ready to explore taking the first steps toward your dream of starting a farm?
Are you already up and running on your farm and looking to connect with other women committed to sustainability, local food and community building?
Come for an inspiring day of advice, ideas and seasoned perspectives from the Wisconsin Soil Sisters, an innovative network of local women championing organic and sustainable agriculture in their community.
The day will include opportunities to personally connect with women experts from a range of organizational resources as well as an in-depth farm tour with our host, Katy Dickson of Christensen Farm. Learn about resources to start your own Soil Sisters Network!
Topics covered include:
Running a evolving farm operation, including vegetable production & running a CSA
Farm start-up advice, including funding & resources from NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) & FSA (Farm Service Agency)
- Farm diversification:
Value-added products in your home kitchen through cottage food law
Farm stays & hosting on-farm food events
Other ideas: US Aid/Farmer to Farmer, Grant reviewers
Organic certification
Finding land
Self-care, cultivating mental health and farm-life balance
Workshop fee: Special Educational Price of $25 (Adults)
Scholarships available! Please email Lisa Kivirist (lisakivirist@gmail.com)
All women, or anyone who identifies as such in a significant way, are welcome to attend. While this is a session specifically for women, all other events during the Soil Sisters weekend are open to both men and women.
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
Remember to: We will be going into the gardens so please wear appropriate footwear including close-toed shoes.
Personally connect with a buffet of resources sharing information and opportunities to ask your questions:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Renewing the Countryside
Wisconsin Women in Conservation/WiWiC
Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training)
Artisan Grains Collaborative
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)
Wisconsin Farmers Union
Green County Soil & Water Conservation
Marbleseed Alliance (formerly MOSES)
Meet the Soil Sisters hosting & ask questions:
Ashley Wegmueller, Wegmueller Dairy
Heather Lynch, Green Haven Gardens
April Prusia, Dorothy's Range
LindaDee Derrickson, Bluff wood Landing & Heartland Threads Fibershed
Danielle Weder, Driftless Tannery
Bethany Storm, Driftless Tanner
Betty Anderson, The Old Smith Place
Jesse Wellington, Red House Farm
Katy Dickson, Christensen Farm
Lisa Kivirist, Inn Serendipity Farm
Farm Tour Details
On the tour of Christensen Farm, Katy will share her vegetable operation, hoop house (with NRCS EQIP funding), animals (pigs, layers, meat birds, cows). See how Katy runs the farm with low key and small scale equipment.
Bonus: Rainfall simulation demonstration
Experience healthy and not-so-healthy soil and how soil health and water holding capacity are impacted by different agricultural production practices. We’ll discuss the relationship of these properties to runoff, erosion and water quantity and share techniques to improve soil health.
Event Details:
Locally-sourced buffet lunch included. Thanks to Midwest Grit for their support for lunch.
Event will start promptly at 10:00 am. Realize it's hard to judge rural drive time (and summer construction!) so please arrive between 9-10 am for coffee and muffins.
All women, or anyone who identifies as such in a significant way, are welcome to attend. We welcome women from a a rich diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. Whether you are looking for land or have your farm up and running, we look forward to seeing you.
- Photos will be taken at this event and used for educational purposes only by Soil Sisters and the partner groups. If you do not wish to have your picture taken, let us know.
Our Soil Sisters events follow a Learning Circle model, with ample time and a safe space for story sharing, networking and collaborative learning.
Please wear appropriate footwear for walking -- dress for weather -- hat, water bottles
Soil Sisters Event Policies:
- This is a workshop designed for adults/18 years of age or older and each 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. They are most welcomed -- this is family friendly space.
- 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 events will be fully outdoors with space for social distancing. Masks are not required. Please dress for the weather
- All Soil Sisters event tickets are non-refundable.
Thanks to our Soil Sisters Share Partners:
About Farmer Host, Katy Dickson
After 12 years traveling the world, Katy and her husband Mark returned to the farm next to the one she grew up on. "I have a something in me, probably genetic, that just makes me want to grow plants and raise them so my family and friends can eat fresh and healthy produce.“ This farm is a certified-organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation.
About Christensen Farm
Christensen Farm is family farm with three generations playing in the dirt and raising healthy and wholesome vegetables, fruits, and chickens for eggs. We are also working to diversify our livestock on the farm with grazing Scottish Highland cattle
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.
Location
Christensen Farm, 53522