MADISON — Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed July 7-13 Wisconsin Women in Conservation Week, citing the rising influence of women owning and managing land in Wisconsin, as well as the historic contributions of women conservation professionals and educators. For the fourth year in a row, a coalition of agriculture and conservation organizations will commemorate the week with Conservation Educator Happy Hours across the state.
These events are free and open to all conservation educators, champions, and allies — both professional and volunteer — who are interested in amplifying the work of Wisconsin’s growing population of women farmers and landowners. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP at WiWiC.org under Events.
Wisconsin Women in Conservation Week Happy Hours:
Wednesday, July 10, 4-6 p.m.
Mt. Horeb at Brix Cider with opening remarks by Ryan Gerlich, USDA/NRCS Assistant State Director — Partnerships. A charcuterie board will be shared, with the opportunity to order drinks and meals off the regular menu.
Friday, July 12, 4-6 p.m.
Eau Claire at 3rd and Vine with opening remarks by Jaime Kraklow, Wisconsin NRCS, Resource Conservationist. The event will start with an appetizer tray featuring cheeses made by women in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
These events are being hosted by Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC), a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside, E Resources Group and Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) with funding from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). RSVP to the Happy Hours is requested at WiWiC.org under Events.
“We are so grateful for the Governor’s Proclamation, and we are hosting these Happy Hours to have a blast celebrating the contributions of women in the essential work of caretaking soil, water and wildlife,” said Esther Durairaj, program director for WiWiC and a research agronomist at Michael Fields. “Women have more influence than ever over the future of land and water in Wisconsin, and we need to be intentional about reaching them with resources and support.”
The proclamation reads, in part: “Data from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture estimates that there are 37,600 female agricultural producers in Wisconsin, making up approximately 35 percent of all agricultural producers in Wisconsin, and…
“Whereas; this week the state of Wisconsin joins women landowners and farmers across our state in celebrating the essential contributions they make to conservation and to the prosperity of our agricultural industry as a whole.”
“The Happy Hour celebrations this year are really a terrific opportunity to see the new faces of leadership in the Wisconsin conservation community,” said Kriss Marion, communications lead for WiWiC and owner of Circle M Market Farm in Blanchardville. “We have a new board chair and executive director at Michael Fields, The Nature Conservancy has brought in Emily Zimmerman as the new director of agricultural strategies after the recent retirement of Steve Richter, and there are many new employees working in county NRCS offices. I can’t wait for everyone to connect.”
WiWiC is engaging women landowners across the state through workshops, field days, farm tours, bus tours, on-farm potlucks, mentorships, e-news, podcast, a list serve, and other learning opportunities. After working in 19 counties for the past three years, WiWiC has expanded into an additional 12 more. WiWiC hosts a state-wide Educators Network that convenes twice a year virtually to share best practices and support each other’s work.
To register for events and sign up for the statewide newsletter, visit www.WiWiC.org. Wisconsin Women in Conservation is also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
