Women's Conservation Learning Circle Success

By Jenny Blake- Conservation/Outreach Technician

Farmer explains the benefits of a season high tunnel and the importance of growing produce on a year-round basis

​Despite all of the rain that fell this springs,  we successfully held a Women4theLand Conservation workshop on Organic Certification and Small Farm Diversity in June. Women farmland owners gathered from near and far to learn about the Organic Certification process, in addition to the ins-and-outs of running a small farm operation. Amy Jo Farmer, of Farmer’s Gold Honey, hosted the workshop in her early 1900’s farm house that sits on 33 acres in Cicero, IN.  Not only did the women get an opportunity to help her bottle feed the baby goats, but they were able to spend the afternoon walking the land and learning about conservation practices such as grass waterways, native grass/flower plantings, and filter strips. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist, Angie Garrison, attended as one of the local female resource leaders to help explain the process of some of the federal programs that help cost-share such conservation practices.  Also in attendance was SWCD District Administrator, Ginger Davis, to talk about conservation practices that help mitigate drainage issues.  Look for our next circle to happen in the fall!