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March-April, 2006 Newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agricultural Information Service: A project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). Women in Sustainable AgricultureMore than one-quarter of U.S. farmers and ranchers are women, according to the USDA 2002 census of agriculture. That’s almost 850,000 female farmers—27.2 percent of America’s total farmers. Women have always been involved in agriculture. That’s not news. The surprise is that between 1997 and 2002, the number of women who are principal operators of U.S. farms increased by 13.4 percent. As this change is recognized, universities and co-op extension services are starting to offer programs for women farmers. Researchers are learning that these producers are interested in conservation and in strengthening the local community as well as their own farm’s economy. This issue of ATTRAnews highlights the leadership roles that women are playing in sustainable agriculture in the United States. In this issue:
================ Denise O'Brien: Networker ExtraordinaireA passionate advocate for family farms and sustainable agriculture, Denise O'Brien has been farming organically in Iowa for 30 years with her husband. Propelled into state and national politics by the farm crisis of the 1980s, she served as president of the National Family Farm Coalition from 1993 to 1995. Her interest in farm issues led her to travel with delegations to Europe, Latin America, and Asia. In 1997 Denise addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on behalf of farmers. Seeing only a few women speaking out about agriculture, Denise and others founded the Women’s Farming and Agriculture Network (WFAN) in 1994. The organization works to connect and inspire American women who are building all aspects of a sustainable food system. In Iowa, women own 47 percent of the farm land. One of WFAN’s projects is Women, Land and Legacy, which is assessing the needs of female farm owners in the state. The network's surveys show that women prefer to receive information through one-on-one contact or in small groups. In 2004, the Iowa Farmers Union recognized Denise’s work by giving her their Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005 she received the Practical Farmers of Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award. Now Denise is running for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. She is campaigning across the state, listening to what farmers want, hoping to represent them all. Women’s Food and Agriculture Network, 59624 Chicago Road, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Women in Agriculture: It's All About NetworksOne of the most helpful developments for women working in agriculture today is the advent of women’s agricultural networks. These groups aim to increase the number of women who own and operate profittable farms and farm-related businesses. The networks sponsor meetings, workshops, and tours focused on education. Members help each other overcome obstacles by sharing experiences. They offer mentors and resources for new farmers and others who need help. Kristin Reynolds is a research assistant at the University of California Small Farm Center and one of the writers of Outstanding in Their Fields: California’s Women Farmers. As a graduate student in International Agriculture Development at UC Davis, Kristin helped organize Students for Sustainable Agriculture, which has become an important force in U.S. sustainable agriculture education. "A spirit of cooperation exists within the women’s farming community," she says. "Farming networks all over the country are creating a community of knowledge exchange. Networks are a source of moral support for people who may be outside mainstream agriculture. These networks exemplify the spirit of cooperation we need as we search for those elusive models of sustainability." The first national Women in Sustainable Agriculture Conference, "A Celebration of Hope and Opportunity," took place last fall, hosted by the Vermont Women’s Agricultural Network. More than 400 people from across the U.S. attended, including a few dozen men. The speakers were women, the food was organic, and the atmosphere was energized as participants spent two days learning and sharing information about their communities, farms, and projects.
Resources for Some State Women's Agricultural NetworksVermont Women’s
Agricultural Network Maine Women’s Agricultural Network Pennsylvania Women’s
Agricultural Network
Recent and Upcoming Women in Agriculture Conferences
The goal of Annie's Project is to empower women to build local networks and to manage information to make critical decisions. The project offers programs through co-op extension in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The 2006 National Extension Women in Agriculture Education Conference April 6 and 7 in St. Louis, Missouri: Learn about assisting women farmers to effectively manage financial, production, marketing, legal, and human resource risks. Contact Susan Olson, 302-831-6540; sbolson@udel.edu. The second annual Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference was held in early March in Hot Springs, AR. Contact Darci Hewett, 479-575-2279; arwi@uark.edu The fifth annual regional Women in Agriculture Conference met in February in Dover, Delaware. Contact Laurie Wolinski, 302-831-2538; lgw@udel.edu. The Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference met in mid-March in Middlebury and Nashville, Indiana. The second annual Women in Denim Conference met in January in Storm Lake, Iowa. Contact Rhonda Christensen, ISU Extension, 712-732-5056; rchris@iastate.edu. The second annual Overall Women Conference was held in February in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 800-262-0015. Women Managing the Farm was held in February in Wichita, Kansas. The Kentucky Women in Agriculture Conference met in November in Owensboro, Kentucky. 859-257-7775. The fourth annual Women in Blue Jeans Conference met in January in South Dakota. 866-273-2676; diana@mit.midco.net. Several Heart of the Farm conferences were held in Wisconsin over this past winter. Contact Jenny Vanderlin, 608-263-7795; hof@uwex.edu.
Resources for Women in Sustainable AgricultureWomen on U.S. Farms Research Initiative Women and Sustainable Agriculture: Interviews with
14 Agents of Change Herstory: Women in Organic Agriculture Changing the Way America Farms: Knowledge and
Community in the Sustainable Agriculture Movement MaryJanes Farm Women in Winegrowing Calendar
Outstanding in their Fields: California's Women Farmers
White House Releases FY07 Agriculture BudgetThe President's agricultural spending proposal for fiscal year 2007 was released recently. The omnibus agriculture bill was issued the second largest cut within government by the The following is a synopsis of the proposed budget affecting sustainable agriculture
Voices of American Farm WomenCynthia Vagnetti documents America's farmers in the tradition of Dorothea Lange and the 1930s Farm Security Administration. Her photos and movies concentrate on farmers and ranchers whose practices promote environmental responsibility, economic stability, and community well-being. Vagnetti has made a series of videos about some of these women. Voices of Iowa Farm Women and Voices of Minnesota Farm Women are completed and she is working on Wisconsin and Michigan. Call 800-473-3872 or email cynthia.vagnetti@pressroom.com. Photo Exhibit Schedule Mar. 25 - April 30 May 15 - June 20, June 5, 2006 - Aug. 16 Sep. 1 - Oct. 5, Sedalia Chamber of Commerce; Sedalia, MO Dec. 15, 2006 - Jan. 19, 2007
New and Updated ATTRA Publications
=============================================== ATTRAnews is the bi-monthly newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. The newsletter is distributed free throughout the United States to farmers, ranchers, Cooperative Extension agents, educators, and others interested in sustainable agriculture. ATTRA is funded through the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service and is a project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), a private, non-profit organization that since 1976 has helped people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources. Teresa Maurer, Project Manager Comments? Questions? Email the ATTRAnews editor Karen Van Epen at . ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service © Copyright 2006 NCAT
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