Cultivating a Land-Based Business for Conservation and Profit: Writing a Business Plan

Are you currently working for someone else, doing something completely unrelated to your conservation values? 

Do you dream of one day running your own business, developing an idea that both celebrates and enhances your land and conservation values while earning income?  

Land stewardship can readily partner with running a financially profitable business, giving you both entrepreneurial freedom and cash flow and, importantly, empowering you to cultivate a livelihood that truly reflects your environmental priorities.

Session 2 of WiWiC's Winter Conservation Camp will explore putting your dream on to paper in the form of a business plan. Once again, Katheryn Dunn of the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation will cover some key business basics and resources to start you on your way, including funding and support opportunities. Serial entrepreneur and experienced business mentor Venice Williams of Alice's Urban Garden, Fondy Food Project, and The Sherman Phoenix business incubator in Milwaukee will share from her experiences.

Whether you are looking to earn a full-time income or are a retiree interested in a side hustle, this session will provide an opportunity to learn from other women and ask questions in a safe space.

WiWiC Hosts:  Esther Shekinah of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute & Jennifer Nelson of Renewing the Countryside and Humble Pie Farm.

WWBIC Presenter:  Kathryn Dunn, Vice President of Programs and Operations, WWBIC

Kathryn joined WWBIC in mid-2024 leading the Program and Operations teams that provide small business lending and business training programs targeting women, People of Color, veterans and low-wealth individuals. A statewide economic development organization, WWBIC has served more than 80,000 individuals and provided more than $135 million in loan capital to small businesses since 1987. Prior to joining WWBIC Dunn served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Vice President of Community Impact for 13 years. Dunn has a long career in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership work focused on expanding access to capital, supporting entrepreneurs – particularly under-resourced individuals, and promoting engagement and equity as key to lasting change. Her career includes managing grantmaking strategies, program related investment programs and local, regional and national collaborative initiatives in economic development, mission investing and workforce development. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Entrepreneur Presenter: Venice Williams, CEO of Alice's Garden Urban Farm and Fondy Farm Project in Milwaukee. Venice is grandmother and minister to many generations of urban farmers, market growers, and small business owners in Milwaukee and beyond. You can spot her working in the soil at Alice’s Garden, vending behind a table at multiple farmers markets, or staffing her Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative shop in Sherman Phoenix, which sells products made from Alice’s Garden and her network of artisans and herbal apprentices.   It's located in the vibrant Sherman Phoenix business incubator space in Sherman Park. As the visionary force behind the Sherman Phoenix, she’s nurtured all sorts of entrepreneurs and start-ups.  But Venice calls herself a spiritual and cultural midwife, and much of her work centers around The Table, a vocational center and community third space that was once a Lutheran church building. The Table is currently hosting nearly 50 vendors for the Fondy winter farmers market and several other businesses. Venice has an office at The Table and counsels clients and businesses there. She's won dozens of awards for her community-building and economic development efforts, including Frank P. Zeidler Award for Public Service from the city of Milwaukee in 2019.

Whatever your background, from beginners to experts, all women are welcome and we want to hear your story. Feel free to bring your lunch. S’mores optional! Pets and children always welcome in our casual Zoom space.

About Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation

WWBIC is a leading innovative statewide economic development corporation that’s been “Putting Dreams to Work” since 1987. They open doors of opportunity by providing underserved individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products, and quality business and financial training. WWBIC focuses on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being … in particular women, people of color, veterans, rural and lower wealth individuals.

About 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 (formerly MOSES).  A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners, farmers, farmworkers, urban growers and conservationists to connect and learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.