WiWiC Summer Camp Webinar Series: Caring for Your Pastures

"I'm all in on conservation. Now what?"

In this four-part 2025 Summer Camp webinar series we're focusing on next steps and possible ways to expand and maintain the good work you're doing to provide ecological services to your community through land stewardship. This series is brought to you in a partnership between Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and Renewing the Countryside. Our second webinar in the series is all about grazing.

So much great information will be shared. Come ready to learn and bring your questions!

WiWiC Host:

Alanna Koshollek, Renewing the Countryside, WiWiC West Central and South West Region Coordinator

Presenter:  

Rachel Bouressa, Bouressa Family Farm, Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Member

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

More about the speakers...

Rachel is a 5th generation farmer in Waupaca County, and a 2nd generation grazier. Her parents were some of the early adopters, and she attended her first GrassWorks Grazing Conference as a kid. She then went on to UW-Madison and received degrees in Agronomy/Soils and worked in the Agroecology Masters program. In 2014 after a barn fire, Rachel left the university and returned to the farm. She currently practices management intensive rotational grazing with her herd of about 90 head of British White Park cattle on about 120 acres of her family’s land. She regularly engages with the community and hosts farm tours, as well as campers through HipCamp, and many events.

Rachel works part-time as the Project Coordinator for the G-Team, a educational network for agency and other professionals working to improve and advance grazing in Wisconsin. She is also the at-large director on the state Wisconsin Farmers Union board, a mentor farmer and conservation plan-writer for the Wisconsin Women in Conservation, a member of the local Farmers Union and Farm Bureau chapters, a FFA Alumni member and a supporter. She also participates and engages with numerous other working groups regarding water quality and regenerative/sustainable agriculture, and serves as the Agricultural representative on the state's Natural Resources Board.  Bouressa Family farm became a participating farmer in the Upper-Fox Wolf Demonstration Farm Network just this year as well. 

Rachel's new farm motto is that "I want to demonstrate and promote how we can have productive agriculture while also prioritizing and protecting our natural resources, in tandem and with respect."

Carrie Stevens

Rachel and Carrie met years ago when Rachel wrote a grazing plan for Carrie.  Carrie owns May Hill Farm outside of Campbellsport Wisconsin.  She is a rockstar at direct marketing, a multi-species farmer, and a mom.  She will be sharing her experience with grazing and the role of a plan.

About Wisconsin Women in Conservation

WiWiC is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with state and federal conservation agencies, local organizations, and other farm advocacy groups. 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.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

MFAI is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. We believe agriculture can sustain both human and ecosystem health, while advancing food security, independence, and justice. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events.About =

About Renewing the Countryside

Renewing the Countryside is a non-profit based in Minneapolis, MN, that supports just, sustainable, and vibrant communities, both urban and rural, through a variety of agricultural and food system programs and partner initiatives.

Content Disclaimer

While the WiWiC project strives to make the information provided to individuals as timely and accurate as possible, we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the content of our webinars. The information presented is solely the speakers’ expressed views and WiWiC expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in content.