South West Spring Conservation Gathering

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

At this gathering, we will dig into the details on dirt—no, make that soil! What can you learn about soil from the way it feels and smells? What does its texture mean for how you manage it? For this event we'll have some soil samples to investigate, but also invite you to bring samples of your own if you'd like. Just dig a small amount (think trowel, not spade) and place it in a bag or other container, and make a note of the conditions where you collected it. No judgement here, we just want to geek out a bit together on how truly fascinating soil is!

Join us to connect with practices and NRCS resources that support you stewarding the long term health of your land, including the positive impacts of an integrated agroforestry approach.

Resource Experts: 

Laura Bybee, NRCS Vernon County

Wisconsin Women in Conservation Hosts:  

Elena Byrne, Renewing the Countryside

Bree Breckel, Conservation Coach / Vernon County

Harriet Behar, Conservation Coach / Crawford County

Location: B&E's Trees Maple Syrup Farm

Enjoy this visit to an active maple syrup farm in the driftless during their production season on 120 acres of forested land. 

From their producer profile the Summer 2018 People's Food Co-op Newsletter:

"The farm is on a fairly steep hillside. There's a 350-foot drop in elevation from the ridgetop sugar house to the valley floor. While this would be poor land for most farming, the steep hillside allows B&E's to use gravity to run the syrup from the tree taps directly downhill through a system of tubing. The sap collects in large tanks at the bottom of the valley, and then it's pumpted up to the sugar house for processing."

Agenda Overview:

• Welcome
• Introductions—sharing about your land
• Break—snack & chat
• Digging into Soil—texture exploration & discussion
• Conservation plans—how WiWiC can help
• Syrup Tour! —woods & sugar house

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.
• Event is planned to be both inside and outside. Dress for the weather.
• 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.  A five-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.