Resources
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RURAL WOMEN'S PROJECT
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Planting Fresh Seeds Webinar: This hour-long, four-part recorded webinar is for women interested in launching or already running their own farm or food-based business. |
As the number of women-owned businesses and farms continues to grow, opportunity abounds for women of all backgrounds, ages and interests to craft a livelihood that blends meaning with stewarding the planet and transforming our food system.
Come hear the stories of a variety of women farmers and ecopreneurs, share your experience and challenges and connect with other women passionate about organic, local, healthy food. Various grants, start-up assistance, marketing and new business ideas and trends will be discussed. Presented by Lisa Kivirist, Director of the MOSES Rural Women's Project.
[Approximately one hour long.]
Fact Sheet on the Growth of Women in Sustainable Agriculture
Building on our nation’s long-standing agricultural roots, women today are plowing new farming and food-based business ventures, blending entrepreneurial start-ups with their passion for bringing healthy, fresh, local food to our communities. From launching new farms to cheese-making operations to pizza businesses, this growing trend of women “ecopreneurs” creatively build successful businesses around their passion for conservation, community and leaving this world a better place. Some of these women traded urban roots for the rural lifestyle while others are recrafting the family farm lifestyle they grew up with. Yet they all share a passion to help educate others about the importance of healthy land, food and community connections.
National Trends:
Increase of women farmers nationally:
• According to the last USDA Census of Agriculture, while the total number of farms has been declining for many years, the number owned and operated by women increased by nearly 30%. Most of these women are new entrants to farming, operate small acreage but own their land and are more likely to raise vegetables, fruits and now, flowers and herbs and other specialty crops.
Women launching more businesses:
• According to the Center of Women’s Business Research, for the past two decades, businesses owned by women continue to grow at two times the rate of all companies (42% versus 24%).
Wisconsin:
Women-owned farms in Wisconsin increased 58% over a ten year period:
5,793 in 1997
7,353 in 2002
9.176 in 2007 (Source: USDA Census of Agriculture)
Wisconsin women operate smaller, diversified farms and dairy operations:
According to a 2010 University of Wisconsin study, most women (72%) who operate non-dairy farms in Wisconsin farm fewer than 100 acres. These women typically raise vegetables, poultry and eggs, beef and tree fruit. The average woman dairy farmer’s farm size is 87 cows and owns 188 acres and use conservation management planning on their land.
Wisconsin women work cooperatively:
The MOSES Rural Women’s Project “In Her Boots” workshops strategically build on 2010 University of Wisconsin research assessing where women farmers go for information. The results of this study indicate that women primarily reach out to other farmers for trusted information, versus Extension or other traditional sources.
Wisconsin leads organic agriculture:
Overall, Wisconsin leads the nation in organic produce and dairy production and is home to the largest organic farming conference, organized by MOSES every February in LaCrosse.
If you have any questions related to the Rural Women's Project, please contact Lisa Kivirist.
Websites for Case Studies
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Lisa Kivirist Denise O’Brien Charlene Torchia Barb Perkins Melinda Hemmelgarn Angie Tagtow Nancy Vail Kim Marsin & Rachel Reklau Jodi Bubenzer Adrienne Fox Zoe Bradbury Xe Susane Moua |
Erin Schneider Ann Adams & Liz Brensinger Katie Wied Carrie Johnson & Kristi Langhus Diana Kalscheur Murphy Jordan Champagne Gail Myers Madeline Rains Kriss Marion Gini Knight Jamie Collins Anna Chan |
Grants & Resources for Beginning Women Farmers
While there are many different resources out there for beginning farmers, this list uniquely provides a “getting started” synthesis specifically for women in organic and sustainable agriculture, with a focus on beginning farmers in the Midwest.
Federal Farm Bill Programs Part IPrograms with money prioritized for women/socially disadvantaged farmers. First point of contact would be your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) or local USDA office:
- Down Payment Farm Ownership Loan Program: Special loan program to assist beginning farmers and ranchers and Socially Disadvantaged applicants to purchase a farm. Helps transfer land from retiring farmers to new farmers. www.attra.ncat.org/guide/a_m/downpayment.html
- Direct Farm Ownership & Operating Loans: Government loans to farmers and ranchers for farm ownership and operating expenses. www.attra.ncat.org/guide/a_m/direct_farm.html
Grant programs that typically are the best “points of entry” for beginning farmers and first time grant writers.
- Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG): Grants to help producers move into value-added ag enterprises; provides planning and/or capital investment. Simplified application process for requests less than $50k. Ten percent of the funds are set-aside for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and rancher, which include women info/templates at the Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA). www.cfra.org/resources/vapg/fact_sheet
- Organic Certification Cost Share (NOCCSP): Financial assistance to defray certification costs up to 75% of certification costs; $750 annually. www.attra.ncat.org/guide/n_z/noccsp.html
- Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR): Research funding for small businesses; stimulates technological innovations in private sector. More complicated federal grant application, but encourages women-owned businesses to apply. Phase I grants up to $90M. www.attra.ncat.org/guide/n_z/sbir.html
For a complete listing of federal programs for sustainable agriculture, forestry, entrepreneurship, conservation and community development visit:
1. www.attra.ncat.org/guide/ (“Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches & Communities” USDA guide)
2. www.sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/
(“Grassroots Guide to the 2008 Farm Bill”, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC))
SARE is a USDA program separate from Farm Bill funding. For a full listing of SARE funding opportunities go to www.sare.org/grants/.
- “Producer Grants” ($1k to $15k) directly fund producers to conduct research, marketing and demonstration projects and share the results with other farmers and ranchers. Grants administered by region. Midwest is part of North Central Region: www.sare.org/ncrsare/cfp.htm
- SARE also has many free/low cost resources for farmers; www.sare.org/coreinfo/farmers.htm
While both of these do not have a specific sustainable agriculture focus, many of the participants and much of the information conveyed incorporates this perspective. Typically have a reasonable registration fee – but still don’t forget to inquire about scholarships.
- Farm Beginnings: www.landstewardshipproject.org/fb/whatisfb.html
A Land Stewardship project initiative, for farmers to “to learn firsthand about values clarification and goal setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, and low-cost, sustainable farming methods.” 36 training hours. Currently offered in 7 states including Midwest: IL (3 locations), WI (Northwest), MN (several locations), SD, ND. -
Annie’s Project: www.extension.iastate.edu/Annie/
Extension-led program “dedicated to strengthening women’s roles in the modern farm enterprise.” 6 educational sessions. Currently offered in 19 states, including Midwest: IL, IN, MI, WI, NE, ND, SD, OH, IA.
www.csalearningcenter.org/what/training/craft
Organized by the Learning Center at Angelic Organics, members ($30) can attend a variety of on-farm field days and workshops (April – Oct) for free. Primarily southern/central WI & northern IL.
Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) www.wfan.org
National network for women in sustainable agriculture. Free quarterly newsletter, listserve (sign-up on website). Organizes annual conference & retreat. Various programs.
Key National Organizations & Resources
These organizations offer free support for beginning farmers and ecopreneur start-ups. Often advocate for sustainable agriculture policy and funding priorities in Washington D.C. Most of these groups have free newsletters and Facebook pages. Sign up on-line.
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National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC): www.sustainableagriculture.net/
Free farmer media training from NSAC: FARM (Farm & Agriculture Resources for Media) - The White House Project: www.thewhitehouseproject.org
- Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFIA): www.michaelfieldsaginst.org/
- Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA): www.cfra.org
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA): www.attra.org
- Renewing the Countryside (RTC): www.renewingthecountryside.org
- Wisconsin: Great list from UW Extension/Environmental Resources Center www.uwex.edu/erc/sustainableag/newWIag/
"See Jane Grow" Workshop
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At the MOSES 2009 conference, the Rural Women's Project held it's first workshop for women in sustainable agriculture: "See Jane Grow: How Women Ecopreneurs are Leading America's Rural Renaissance." To celebrate, showcase and share the diverse, creative multi-facets of women farmers, rural ecopreneurs and food system activists - the RWP created this handout with a myriad of perspectives from a range of women. These perspectives cross
various backgrounds, ages and experience - joined together through a shared love for stewarding the land, growing healthy food and changing our food system for the better.
Download handout [240 KB / 19-page PDF]