More than 1 million women now operate American farms, as a growing number of women inherit, start or take charge of working farms each day.
In the Midwest, women now own or co-own an estimated one-fourth to one-half of all farmland.
To reach the growing number of women landowners interested in farming practices that benefit the health of their land, Kosciusko County Soil &Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Purdue Extension are joining with Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Women4theLand to host a free conservation discussion and field tour for women farmland owners and operators on Aug. 29 at the Kosciusko County 4-H Fairgrounds, Shrine Building, 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw.
This Women’s Conservation Learning Circle is an informal meeting that includes a women-only morning discussion, followed by lunch and a bus tour to view on-farm practices that promote healthy soil and water quality, according to a provided news release. Female conservation professionals will be on hand to answer questions and share resources. The key topics of discussion will include soil health practices and government financial assistance programs available to implement projects.
“Women farmland owners and operators may not be aware of all the programs and resources available to them,” said Jennifer Filipiak, associate Midwest director of American Farmland Trust.
“Our goal is to connect the growing number of women landowners with each other and with the resource professionals who can help them with their stewardship goals,” said Tashina Lahr-Manifold, soil health specialist with Kosciusko County SWCD.
On the day of the meeting, coffee and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch is provided, and the program will end at 3 p.m.
Interested women landowners or operators can RSVP by Aug. 22 to the Kosciusko County SWCD website or calling 574-267-7445, ext. 3.