MONROE — While the number of farms in the U.S. has been on the decline for many years, the number owned and operated by women is on the rise, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture. 

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service supports women farmers with on-farm “In Her Boots” workshops; the first workshop of the 2018 season will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21 at Wylymar Farms, an organic dairy run by farmers Emily and Brandi Harris. 

This day-long workshop offers an inspiring blend of practical information, skill-building, resource connections and networking to encourage this growing segment of women farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural leaders. This session will cover ergonomics and machinery use for women; Emily Harris was trained in Navy mechanic school and will share details about the tractors and other equipment she uses on her farm. 

Emily Harris is a fourth-generation farmer who is now running her own dairy operation since 2010 and is certified organic. The Harrises milk 50 Jersey cows, care for 105 cows and sell their milk to area cheese factories. 

Various resources will be available at the workshop from the Green County Development Corporation, Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, Wisconsin Farmers Union, FairShare CSA Coalition and the National Farm Medicine Center. The workshop also will cover a new opportunity for farmers to create additional income by selling non-hazardous baked goods made in home kitchens, now legal in Wisconsin due to a judge’s ruling in October 2017. 

“In Her Boots” workshops are based on the idea that women learn best from each other in a format where they can ask questions and mentor and inspire one another. 

Lisa Kivirist is the coordinator of the project and author of “Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers.” She runs Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B with her family. 

The cost for the workshop includes lunch and a farm tour. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, see mosesorganic.org/june-21 or call the MOSES office at 715-778-5775. For more information about the workshops, contact Kivirist at lisa@mosesorganic.org or 329-7056.

Two additional “In Her Boots” workshops are scheduled for later this summer: July 26 at Humble Hands Harvest, a market farm in Decorah, Iowa, and Aug. 3 at Raleigh’s Hillside Farm, a market farm in Brodhead.

MOSES is a nonprofit organization that promotes organic and sustainable agriculture by providing the education, resources and practical advice farmers need to succeed. The organization’s flagship event, the MOSES Organic Farming Conference, is the country’s largest educational event on organic agriculture. It takes place every February in the Midwest. For more information, see mosesorganic.org.