Did you know we have a Listserv where women can pose their conservation-themed questions to the larger community? Well, this week WiWiC Outreach Specialist Lisa Kivirist reached out to ask the group where they go to buy conservation-supportive gifts. We thought the responses were so great and so timely that we decided to compile them in one blog post. They are listed in no particular order below, with links. If you have more suggestions, jump on the Listserv or pop us a message in Instagram or Facebook. (If you aren't on the Listserv yet, send an email to info@WiWiC.org with "Subscribe to Listserv" in the subject.) Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Becky Brathal recommended a number of woman-owned farm-based businesses in NW Wisconsin:
Berglane Farm milk-based lotions.
https://berglane-farm.myshopify.com/collections/lotion EBRanch Farmstead Goatsmilk soap and body products.
https://ebranchfarmstead.com/collections/farmstead-soap-and-body-products Oh,Beehave Body Care, who's tagline is "Conservation through Skincare."
WiWiC Communications Lead Kriss Marion recommends Dorothy's Range, a woman-run heritage hog farm on a prairie in Green County, for lard-based soaps with names like "Praise the Lard" and "Hogwash." Farmer April Prussia also has breeding GOS and Large Black hogs available, for that person who has everything.
Kriss also recommends purchasing the set of three nature books written for young people by WiWiC Unhuggables Ambassador Rebecca Christoffel: Snakes of Wisconsin, Amphibians of Wisconsin, and her personal favorite, Turtles and Lizards of Wisconsin.
Marinette County Conservationist Sheri Denowski recommends soap/shampoo/conditioner in plastic free packaging for gifts. Unfortunately, she hadn't connected with any Wisconsin companies that offered less packaging, but here are the companies she suggests:
She says it is also fun to give a box of toilet paper from Who Gives a Crap. They have a quirky sense of humor, build toilets around the world with some of their profits, and use sustainable materials (fast growing bamboo or recycled paper). https://us.whogivesacrap.org/collections/goodtime
Conservation Coach Mariann Holm recommended The Livestock Conservancy gift page, and noted that there were local folks listed.
Conservation Coach Harriet Behar recommended buying locally grown flours, beans and baking mixes from Meadowlark Farm and Mill, located in Iowa County but sourcing from the region. https://www.meadowlarkorganics.com/our-products
Diane Mayerfeld suggested buying wool and wool goods from Autumn Larch Farm. Woman shepherdess Jane Hansen, located in Price County, sells yarn, roving, knit goods, lamb, garlic, soap and more.
Katie Beilfuss recommended the Wisconsin Wetlands Association handbook for wetland owners who are looking for information on caring for their properties: https://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/for-landowners/handbook/
Julie Hill recommends Taiga Farm just over the border in Ironwood, MI, for amazing wool from Icelandic sheep they raise. Each package has the name of the sheep that the wool came from.
Happy shopping, and happy holidays from all of us at WiWiC to you and yours!