By DARCI ZOLMAN
Program Administrator with the Soil and Water Conservation District

Women who own or manage farmland in Kosciusko and surrounding counties are invited to participate in a free conservation discussion and field tour 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Center Lake Pavilion, 119 E. Canal St.

“We estimate that women now own or co-own between one-fourth and one-half of the farmland in the Midwest and they are very interested in farming practices that benefit the health of their land,” said Jennifer Filipiak, associate Midwest director for the American Farmland Trust. “Our goal is to connect these women with each other and with the resource professionals who can help them with their farmland management goals.”

Women Caring for the Land meetings bring together landowners in an informal learning format for a women-only morning discussion followed by a more in-depth look at the characteristics of healthy soil and farming practices that promote it.

Female conservation professionals are on hand to answer questions and share resources. “These meetings have been well-received in other parts of Indiana,” remarked Darci Zolman, program administrator with the Soil and Water Conservation District, “and we’re looking forward to bringing this unique educational opportunity to our area.”

Following lunch, area conservationists will lead a bus tour to view conservation practices on the ground.  Topics for discussion range from soil health and water quality, wildlife management and government cost-share programs, to how to talk with tenants about management practices. 

The meeting is presented in partnership with the Women Food and Agriculture Network, that pioneered the program in Iowa.  “We continually hear from women how grateful they are for a women-only learning environment,” commented Bridget Holcomb, executive director of the Women Food and Agriculture Network, “and they tell us that they are able to discuss issues that they wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing up in any other setting.”

Coffee and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. June 17 and the meeting will begin at 9. Lunch is provided, and the program will end with refreshments at 3 p.m.

Space is limited for this unique opportunity so please RSVP by 5 p.m. Friday, June 12, to Darci Zolman, Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District at (574) 267-7445, extension 118 or [email protected]. If you need accommodation please notify us when you RSVP.  And feel free to bring a friend or family member, just let us know.

This session of “Women Caring for the Land” is sponsored by American Farmland Trust in partnership with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, and the Kosciusko Soil & Water Conservation District.  Funding comes from a Conservation Innovation Grant from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Nina P. Mason Pulliam Charitable Foundation.

More information can be found at http://womencaringfortheland.org/indiana/