Past, Present, Future: Who are we? Where have we been? Where are we going?
February 12th-14th, 2007
Where: Quillisascut Farm/ Lora Lea Misterly
2409 Pleasant Valley Raod
Rice Washington 99167
(509) 738-2011
This project is the first in a series of investigative workshops that will
grow into a larger discussion, build a supportive community of
women, with the end result being a regional conference for Women in
Sustainable Agriculture
What is on your mind? What are your concerns with farming?
Project Information: Presently we have a strong group of women who have
"grown up" within organic and sustainable farming who own smaller acreage farms
and sell direct to the local market. Many of these women are nearing their 50's and 60's
and looking for ways to either pass on their enterprise or to share their
insight and applied knowledge. They are also searching out ways to re-create
their farms as their needs change (aging parents, retirement, health, market
pressures, to pursue other interests, or?) How do we re-tap that well of
inspiration?
We also have a budding group of young women wanting to take on farming as a
lifestyle and career choice that can use assistance. What are their needs
and challenges?
This professional development session will bring together a group of women
active in Agriculture, farmers and farm support systems (i.e. non-profits,
university extension). We will examine the role women are playing in
preserving small acreage farms, building local food systems and the risks
they face financially, culturally, and physically. Are there traditions that
are being lost that we can revitalize, or customs that we need to let go of
that are holding us back? We will examine what we know is out there to
assist women in agriculture and create a cooperative vision of successful
models for the future.
Meals and lodging provided. Participants will stay in our farm School bunkhouse,
5 bedrooms (3 twin beds in each room) shared bathrooms.
