Conservation Bus Tour: West Central Region

All Aboard! Join us for an exciting adventure as we criss-cross Dairyland’s fields and farms learning about conservation practices that the women stewards of Wisconsin have implemented on their land.

The Pierce county tour will certainly give you new ideas and exposure to a variety of farming styles, along with connections to other women farmers and resource professionals.  From the bus, en route to two amazing local farms, we will see and discuss various cropping practices, erosion control techniques, pollinator habitat and more.  Once on site you will hear the stories, challenges, lessons learned, and upcoming goals directly from these awesome women farmers.  The tours of Twin Folk Farms by Darla, and also Cella at Oxheart Farm, both located near Hager City, will showcase so many practices including: rotational grazing of grassfed beef and sheep, hog and poultry production, a CSA operation with grass-fed milk and yogurt farmstand. Register today and come see it all!

Conservation professionals from the region will be along to explain various conservation practices and opportunities to get connected to resources to help you implement any practices that will get you closer to your goals.

All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from Trempealeau, La Crosse, Monroe, Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo,  and surrounding counties are welcome to attend-- wherever you are in your journey, from beginners to experts!

A delicous local and organic lunch and dessert will also be served.

Speakers:

• Darla Lester, owner Twin Folks Farm · https://www.twinfolkfarms.com/
• Cella Langer , owner Oxheart Farm www.oxheartfarm.com

Wisconsin Women in Conservation Host:  Alanna Koshollek, Renewing the Countryside

Resource Experts Attending:

• Dana Swanson | Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Retta Isaacson | Water Quality Planner, Pierce County Land Conservation Department
• Tara Greiman-Daun | Director of Conservation & Stewardship, Wisconsin Farmers Union

Location:  The tour will begin at the pavillion at Summit Hill Park, Ellsworth, WI 54011.   Access to the park is gained on W. Grove Street and off from W. Summit Ave. where parking is available. From there we will travel by bus about 20 minutes to tour two local farms before returning the pavillion for evaluations and dessert. An opitonal tour of the Natural Resources Conservation Service office will be available following the tour for anyone interested. 

Agenda: 

• Registration (9:45 AM) - Summit Hill Park (Pavillion to your left right as you enter the park (parking lot to your right)) 
• Welcome & Introductions (10 AM)
• Lunch
• Twin Folks Farm Tour
• Oxheart Farm Tour
• Evaluation & Dessert back at the Park

Food:

• Chef Steph will be catering a delicious locally sourced lunch for us before be board the bus to tour the farms.
• Please share any food allergies or dietary restrictions with Alanna (alannakoshollek@gmail.com or 715-538-3773) by July 20th.

Event Details:

• Event is charged at a nominal fee of $10 per person; space is limited.
• Women, all who identify as such, are welcome to attend – from landowners to farmers to conservationist enthusiasts. Our WiWiC events provide time and a safe space for story sharing, networking and collaborative learning. We all have something to both share and learn together.
• This event is outdoors, and no masks are required. Social distancing is encouraged.
• Dress for the weather.  Bring a sunhat, sunscreen and good walking shoes. Food/ snacks/ water will be provided.
• We ask that all attendees at field days where livestock are present observe biosecurity practices. Wear clean shoes or boots that have not been worn on other farms with livestock or livestock buildings, or around a dense population of wild birds. We will provide optional booties for participants.
• Buses will leave from and return to the same location. The hosts have made sure that there is sufficient parking available at this location.
• We will get in and out of the bus at two locations and will have step stools to help.
• Photos will be taken at this event and used for educational purposes only by WiWiC and the partner groups.  If you do not wish to have your picture taken, let the on-site WiWiC host know.
• Bring cash with if you want to purchase goods from the farms directly. Coolers with ice will be available to house your items until we return to our vehicles.

Children:

Children are welcome at all WiWiC events. While we want to support women with children to attend our events, due to capacity issues, this event can accommodate only up to 10 kids. If you plan to bring your kid(s), please register early, and let the event host know by email.  There is a playground at the park next to the pavillion we will meet at for introductions and lunch, can easily participate and watch kids play at the same time from this location. 

Email (of the coordinator):  alannakoshollek@gmail.com

We ask that the kids are accompanied and SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES by the parent/guardian. WiWiC does not take responsibility/ liability for the kids at any time/ event.

Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside and Marbleseed.  A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin's women landowners, farmers, farm workers, urban growers, and conservation professionals to connect and share about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.