By Lisa Kivirist, author, co-owner and operator of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B The winter season ushers in space for reflection and big picture thinking on where we see our farm businesses, communities and lives overall heading into 2019. That’s exactly what’s on the menu for women farmers at this year’s National Farmers Union Women’s Conference, … Read More
Women Farmers Weekly
Markets and Infrastructure: The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market
By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market is a landmark on Bethesda’s Wisconsin Avenue. For decades, it has not only served as a hub for residents looking to purchase fresh produce and artisanal products but has also represented Montgomery County’s abundant agricultural history and continued support of local farmers. Amid the Great … Read More
Skills and Knowledge: Succession Planning
By Sophie Neems, Communications Specialist at Farm Credit Succession planning is a delicate business; few people get excited to come to terms with mortality and create a plan for how land and personal assets will be passed from one generation to the next. However, succession planning is about more than just that. It is about … Read More
Skills and Knowledge: Hiring and Management Strategies
By Sophie Neems, Communications Specialist at Farm Credit Meet Stacey Carlberg who, along with her husband Casey Gustowarow, manages The Farm at Sunnyside, a 15-acre, certified organic vegetable farm with 250-300 laying hens. Stacey and Casey sell at Farmers Markets, as well as through wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). While I worked for Stacey … Read More
Skills and Knowledge: Telling Your Story
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Charlotte Smith, President of Northwest Farmers Union If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d have a thriving raw milk dairy and diversified farm, I’d have laughed in your face! I grew up working on my … Read More
Skills and Knowledge: Telling Your Story
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Charlotte Smith, President of Northwest Farmers Union If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d have a thriving raw milk dairy and diversified farm, I’d have laughed in your face! I grew up working on my … Read More
Networking and Community: Farming with an Illness
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Vickie Dunnum, Co-Owner of Dunn-Hill Farm Spring is a beautiful time on the farm. It is a time of new life, new growth and something farmers look forward to all winter long. As farmers, we know that this season’s … Read More
Networking and Community: Farming with an Illness
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Vickie Dunnum, Co-Owner of Dunn-Hill Farm Spring is a beautiful time on the farm. It is a time of new life, new growth and something farmers look forward to all winter long. As farmers, we know that this season’s … Read More
Rights and Representation: Plate to Politics
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Ash Bruxvoort, Women, Food and Agriculture Network Communications Coordinator & Plate to Politics Coordinator National Farmers Union (NFU) is home to incredible women leaders. That’s why Women, Food and Agriculture Network’s (WFAN) Plate to Politics program, a nationwide effort to … Read More
Rights and Representation: Plate to Politics
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Ash Bruxvoort, Women, Food and Agriculture Network Communications Coordinator & Plate to Politics Coordinator National Farmers Union (NFU) is home to incredible women leaders. That’s why Women, Food and Agriculture Network’s (WFAN) Plate to Politics program, a nationwide effort to … Read More
Markets and Infrastructure: Women and Farmers Markets
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Olivia Taylor-Puckett, Manager of the Lawrence Farmers’ Market When I walk through the Lawrence Farmers’ Market, the majority of the faces behind the tables are those of women. Ours is the oldest, and largest, producer-only market in Kansas, … Read More
Markets and Infrastructure: Women and Farmers Markets
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Olivia Taylor-Puckett, Manager of the Lawrence Farmers’ Market When I walk through the Lawrence Farmers’ Market, the majority of the faces behind the tables are those of women. Ours is the oldest, and largest, producer-only market in Kansas, … Read More
Networking and Community: Why Ashley Wegmueller Joined Soil Sisters
By Ashley Wegmueller of Bo & Olly’s Produce This week we continue with our Soil Sisters stories, so gather around the virtual farmstead kitchen table for a conversation with Ashley Wegmueller of Bo & Olly’s Produce. Ashley raises diversified vegetables while also helping her husband on their 4th-generation family dairy farm. Together, they are in … Read More
Networking & Community: Why April Prusia Joined Soil Sisters
By April Prusia, Co-Owner/Operator of Dorothy’s Range Soil Sisters is a network of more than 150 Wisconsin women farmers who offer each other support, collaboration, and community. One of those women is April Prusia, who runs Dorothy’s Range, offering heritage pork, feeders and breeding stock as well as a farm experience with overnight rentals. The … Read More
Networking & Community: Why April Prusia Joined Soil Sisters
By April Prusia, Co-Owner/Operator of Dorothy’s Range Soil Sisters is a network of more than 150 Wisconsin women farmers who offer each other support, collaboration, and community. One of those women is April Prusia, who runs Dorothy’s Range, offering heritage pork, feeders and breeding stock as well as a farm experience with overnight rentals. The … Read More
Networking & Community: Soil Sisters Cook, Collaborate & Celebrate
By Lisa Kivirist, author, co-owner and operator of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B Never underestimate what a bunch of women coming together for a potluck can do. What started now ten years ago as a regularly scheduled series of on-farm potlucks among local women farmers, gardeners and food enthusiasts in and around Green County, Wisconsin, … Read More
Networking & Community: Soil Sisters Cook, Collaborate & Celebrate
By Lisa Kivirist, author, co-owner and operator of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B Never underestimate what a bunch of women coming together for a potluck can do. What started now ten years ago as a regularly scheduled series of on-farm potlucks among local women farmers, gardeners and food enthusiasts in and around Green County, Wisconsin, … Read More
Skills and Knowledge: How Does the USDA Support Women Farmers?
By Sophie Neems, Previous NFU Intern & Current Communications Specialist at Farm Credit The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports American farmers in a myriad of ways, primarily by offering services such as crop insurance, organic certification cost share, farmers market promotion, and rural development initiatives. But how does the USDA support women farmers specifically? The … Read More
Rights and Representation: What is a Farmer?
By Sophie Neems, Previous NFU Intern & Current Communications Specialist at Farm Credit There’s a noticeable new trend in farming demographics: the number of farmers coming to agriculture as a second career – many of whom are women – is growing. These female, first-generation producers must secure land, build an enterprise, and establish themselves within … Read More
Women Farmers Weekly: Introduction
By Melissa Miller, Owner & Operator of Ladybell Farms As a farm educator and advocate, I am lucky enough to travel the country to visit with dozens of women in agriculture every year. From Virginia to Oklahoma, Oregon to Wisconsin, these women never cease to amaze me with their innovative ideas and consistent hard work. I … Read More