Conservation Bus Tour: Northeast Region!

All Aboard! Join us for an exciting adventure as we criss-cross Wisconsin fields and farms learning about different conservation practices that women stewards have implemented on their land. We'll learn about their different managment styles, from grazing to vegetable production and everything in between. Our Conservation Bus Tour will include scenic drives and stops at photo-worthy points of interest, as well as snacks and lunch! From the bleating of goats under managed grazing to the buzzing of pollinators in native plantings, come experience it all!

All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from Marathon, Portage, Waupaca, Shawano, Outagamie, Brown and surrounding counties are welcome to attend-- wherever you are in your journey, from beginners to experts!

Speakers: Holly Petrillo (Liberation Farmers),  Nichole Good (Generation Native Seed Plant Nursery), and Celia Sweet and Amiee Wetmore (Midwest Renewable Energy Association)

Wisconsin Women in Conservation Host:  Allison Crook, Wisconsin Farmers Union

Location:  The tour will begin and end at Midwest Renewable Energy Association (7558 Deer Rd, Custer, WI 54423)- Park Here! 

Agenda: 

• Welcome/ Introductions at MREA
• Tour Liberation Farmers, grab lunch (pizza from Adelante Cafe)
• Tour Generation Native Plant Nursery
• Wrap up at MREA 

While the main tour will be from 9:00am-1:00pm, there is an optional add on to tour the MREA grounds from 1:20-2:20pm, with a final wrap up at 2:30pm!  Please join for this if you can!

Conservation Highlights:

• Liberation Farmers: high tunnels, rotational grazing/pastures, tree planting, permaculture farm/food forest and garden
• Generation Native Plant Nursery: native plants, land contouring (swales/hugelkultur)
• MREA: agrivoltaics, solar energy, native plant restoration

Food:

• Lunch will be provided on the tour and will consist of pizza from Adelante Cafe, Liberation Farmers farm-to-table cafe.  
• Pizza options will include an assortment of vegetarian and gluten-free choices, featuring fresh, local ingredients from Liberation Farmers and across the region! 
• Drinks, including assorted local beverages, will also be provided

If you need a dairy-free/vegan option, please let Allison know by Tuesday, June 25th at 12:00pm. (acrook@wisconsinfarmersunion.com)

Event Details:

• Event is charged at a nominal fee of $10 per person; space is limited.
• As an added bonus, all registrants that register by Tuesday, June 18th will also recieve FREE entry to the MREA's Energy Fair on June 22nd.  
• 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.

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 children, please register early, and let the event host know by email.

Email (of the coordinator):  acrook@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

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