Happy International Women's Day! We're do delighted to celebrate, but also so delighted to be able to work with all of you amazing conservation rock stars! Around the world, women are 50% of the agricultural workforce and in developing countries produce 80% of the food. In Wisconsin, 35% of agricultural producers are women, 56% of farms have a woman involved in production, and the primary decision maker on the farm is a woman on 1 of 5 Wisconsin farms. Women also own or co-own half of the property, including that which may not be in production but in conservation practices like prairies and managed woodlands. Ladies, you are a tremendous force on the landscape and we are here for YOU!
How are you observing today? Maybe you'd like to celebrate by registering for our upcoming Conference in Stevens Point on April 25. I mean, we're a little biased but we think it will be absolutely AMAZING! The theme is Mind the Gap: Bridging Boundaries and Barriers. In a time of such uncertainty in farm country and in the conservation world, building and celebrating the relationships we have is one of the most positive actions we can take! Early bird registration ends March 15 - it's just $45. Did we mention the CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN that closes out the Conference during our Mentorship Hour?
MANY THANKS TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!
Another fun way to celebrate today might be to sign up for the next Welcoming Wednesday Webinar from our sisters at Minnesota Women in Conservation. These are really great webinars featuring women professionals and practitioners, and the next one focuses on Pollinator Habitat! RSVP to get a LINK.
Finally, you may think it's empowering to celebrate today by donating to Wisconsin Women in Conservation. We've never asked for support before, because we have been funded by the federal government - USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. We have been employed as their boots-on-the-ground organizers to reach out to women landowners, gardeners and farmers and connect them with the federal programs that can help them achieve their conservation dreams.
However, with the funding freeze and potential termination of many federal conservation programs and contracts, we're now seeking to run this program on our own, under Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. We are funded through September 2025, but we haven't been paid for several quarters' worth of work already. In 2026, we will most certainly need to fund the project differently. If you find value in this network, chip in a little bit today in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month!