Field Day: Sweet Springs Farm

This field day, hosted by WiWiC Conservation Coach Harriet Behar and Regional Coordinator Elena Byrne will feature a wide variety of cover crops growing, as well as tips and tools related to planting them. Many of the prairie and other perennials will be blooming.

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

Features of Sweet Springs Farm include: a large prairie up on top of the hill, numerous prairie areas in the valley, trout stream, and valley fields that grow veggies and herbs with lots of cover crops, including:

• yellow blossom sweet clover
• white clover
• white dutch clover
• red clover
• soybeans
• chickling vetch
• oats/peas
• oats with tillage radish
• rye
• sorghum sudan

Harriet has a state licensed dehydration facility for the herbs, a solar greenhouse as well as a high tunnels with young fruit trees.  The farm has lots of small scale vegetable equipment to view, along with information on organic certification, Check out Harriet's weaving studio with her naturally dyed wool!

Resource Experts Attending:  

Harriet Behar, Sweet Springs Farm

Karyl Fritsche, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Crawford County

Wisconsin Women in Conservation Host: Elena Byrne, Renewing the Countryside

Snack provided

Location:  Sweet Springs Farm

Event Details:

• Event is free to attend but registration is required and space is limited.
• All women, or anyone who identifies as such in a significant way, 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.
• What to bring: sunhat, sunscreen and good walking shoes; umbrellas are suggested for additional shade (and obviously in case of rain); lawn chair (we'll have some available). 
• 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. No dogs, please. 

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.