Are you a woman farmland owner who leases your land to a tenant farmer? Did you inherit the land from a male relative? Maybe you were never involved in the business end of the farm operation and have questions, but do not know who to talk with. You might be interested in “Women Caring for the Land Learning Circles.”

TLC has been holding workshops, called Learning Circles, for women who own farmland.  The concept came from an organization based in Iowa called the Women, Food and Agriculture Network.  The Learning Circles are meant to provide a crucial link between women farmland owners and the resources they need to achieve their conservation goals by holding women-only meetings. Each meeting features a specific topic related to the business of farming or information on farmland management. Because the workshops are for women only, attendees feel free to raise questions, discuss challenges and get information on the wide range of resources available to them.

If you are interested in attending future Learning Circles, please contact Claire Hodge at TLC: [email protected] or call 815/337-9502.

Upcoming Learning Circles in 2022

June 29, 2022

This Learning Circle will focus on topics such as silvopasture, pasture grazing, windbreaks, cash flow management, and fruit tree plantings with a farm visit to Root & Sky Farm in Marengo.

July 22, 2022

This Learning Circle will focus on fruit crop production and riparian buffers, with a visit to McCann Berry Farm.

August, 26, 2022

This Learning Circle will focus on topics such as rental/land use agreements, conservation easements, wetland restoration, pasture grazing, and organic vegetable farming while highlighting Soulful Prairies and their partnerships with Terra Vitae Farms and Sunfleck Farm.

September 21, 2022

This Learning Circle will focus on topics like agricultural education, season extension, fruit crop production, establishing pollinator plantings, while highlighting the Center for Agrarian Learning and Horticulture Department programs at MCC.