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 this Soil Sisters tradition: a day 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, Chelsea Chandler of Plowshares & Prairie Farm.

Workshop fee: Special Educational Price of $30

Scholarships available for anyone who needs one! Please email Lisa Kivirist (lisa@rtcinfo.org)

Locally-source lunch provided by North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research Education) and Midwest GRIT.

BONUS: All registrants receive a free copy of TWO books:

1) Farmstead Chef, co-authored by Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko with seasonal, local favorite recipes from Inn Serendipity Farm ($19.99 value)

2) Renewing the Countryside: WISCONSIN Stories of Sustainable Living, Working & Playing (a $26.95 value).

Workshop topics covered include:

• Running an evolving farm operation, including vegetable production & running a CSA
• Body mechanics advice and resources: How to care for your most important tool - - you!
• Farm start-up advice, including funding & resources from NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) & FSA (Farm Service Agency)
• Balancing farming with raising kids and family
• Farm diversification: Value-added products in your home kitchen through cottage food law
• Farm stays & hosting on-farm food events, including barn weddings at Plowshares & Prairie

Personally connect with a buffet of resources sharing information and opportunities to ask your questions:

• Renewing the Countryside
• Wisconsin Women in Conservation/WiWiC
• The Farm Labor Dashboard (University of Vermont)
• AgrAbility of Wisconsin
  
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• North Central SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)
• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training)
• Artisan Grains Collaborative
• Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
• FairShare CSA Coalition
  
• Heartland Threads Fibershed
• Wisconsin Farmers Union
• Green County Soil & Water Conservation

Farm Tour Details

On the tour of Plowshare & Prairie Farm, Chelsea will share her vegetable and CSA operation she and her husband, Scott Laeser, run. Learn how they run the farm on solar power along with farm diversification through converting a barn into a wedding rental venue.

Meet the Soil Sisters hosting & ask questions:

• Chelsea Chandler, Plowshares & Prairie Farm
• Ashley Wegmueller, Wegmueller Dairy
• Heather Lynch, Green Haven Gardens & WFAN Stewardship Ambassador
• Michelle Harrigan, Food Web Farms & WFAN Stewardship Ambassador
• Alicia Gasaway, Gasaway Gardens & WFAN Stewardship Ambassador
  
• LindaDee Derrickson, Bluffwood Landing & Heartland Threads Fibershed
• Betty Anderson, The Old Smith Place
• Lisa Kivirist, Inn Serendipity Farm

And for fun:

Soil Sisters t-shirts, aprons and hats -- along with a limited edition of inaugural Soil Sisters Charcuterie Boards for purchase, locally hand-crafted by Bob Becker.  All proceeds benefit Soil Sisters!

More Event details:

• Women, all who identify as such, are welcome to attend – from landowners to farmers to conservationist enthusiasts – whatever your background, with a special warm welcome to beginners -- especially if this is your first agricultural event you've attended!
  
• Dress for the weather. Bring a sunhat, sunscreen, water bottle, note taking materials and good walking shoes.
  
• This event is outdoors and no masks are required. Social distancing is encouraged.
• Photos will be taken at this event and used for educational purposes only by Soil Sisters and Renewing the Countryside. If you do not wish to have your picture taken, please let us know prior to the event.
• Soil Sisters is a family-friendly space and realize sometimes kids need to come with us, especially babies. If you need to bring your children in order to attend the workshop, please let us know in advance (no need to register them).
• Leave your pets at home as these are working farms with other animals.
• All Soil Sisters event tickets are non-refundable.