Field Day: Keewaydin Farms

Pack your camp chair and join us for a summer’s afternoon in June! 

We will take a walk around Keewaydin Farms to see what Joy along with husband Rufus are doing and how they are doing it. They have a certified organic vegetable CSA, and have been hosting a wide range of informative and uplifting events on their farm as part of their nonprofit, Driftless Curiosity. We'll tour their no-till gardens, permaculture stands, perennial hazelnuts, and bird sanctuary, as well as commune with their flock of sheep and discuss adding livestock. 

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from Vernon, Crawford & Grant and surrounding counties are welcome to attend-- whatever your background, from beginners to experts!

Agenda Overview

• Welcome & light lunch
• Land acknowledgement & Invitation to Circle
• Introductions
• Land walk, covering topics from no-till gardens and perennial agriculture to bird sanctuary and adding livestock
• Discussion: working with NRCS & WiWiC
• Optional: more communing with the sheep!

Resource Experts Attending:  

Joy Miller, farmer and dreamer at Keewaydin Farms

Crystal Bailey, NRCS Richland County

Harriet Behar, WiWiC Conservation Coach

Wisconsin Women in Conservation Hosts: 

Elena Gutierrez Byrne, Renewing the Countryside / WiWiC Southwest Regional Coordinator

Sara George, Renewing the Countryside / WiWiC West-Central Regional Coordinator

Location:  Keewaydin Farms / Driftless Curiosity

200 acre ridgetop organic vegetable business, certified organic since 2004. Includes 40 acres wooded, 60 acres pasture, 90 acres tillable, and 10 acres of homesteaded area. Available learning space includes: hiking trails, forest, maple syrup operation, fields, gardens, greenhouses, barn, shop, picnic area, pond, and pottery studio.

Event Details:

• Event is free to attend but registration is required and space is limited.
• Women - all who identify as such - are welcome to attend – from  landowners to farmers to conservationist enthusiasts – whatever your background, from beginners to experts! Our WiWiC events follow a Learning Circle model, with ample time and a safe space for story sharing, networking and collaborative learning. We all have something to both share and learn together.
• Dress for the weather.  Bring a sunhat, sunscreen and good walking shoes.  
• This event is outdoors and no masks are required. Social distancing is encouraged.
• 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.
• WiWiC is a family-friendly space and you are welcome to bring your children.  We will have some independent kids activities available.

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 three-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to connect and learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.