American Farmland Trust’s national Women for the Land initiative addresses the obstacles women landowners face in accessing conservation programs and resources (farmland.org/project/women-for-the-land/). In part, the initiative hosts “learning circles” that empower women landowners to adopt environmentally sound farming practices, protect farmland, and improve the viability of their farms. Common topics discussed at learning circles include soil health and water quality.
Research shows many women farmers and landowners have a strong conservation and stewardship ethic. They are deeply committed to healthy farmland, farm families, and farm communities. However, women face gender-related barriers to managing their land for long-term sustainability. Women for the Land learning circles were created to help mend this barrier and provide them with the technical assistance they might need. Recent research confirms that learning circles work. Women in Illinois and Indiana who attended these activities from 2014–17 took part in follow up interviews—74% reported engaging in conservation action after attending. Interviews also reveal that 23% had taken an action that resulted in immediate change on the land, including the implementation of cover crops, a key practice identified by Illinois NLRS.
Many of the women expressed that they found these circles to be great for building a community, finding and knowing what resources are available, and continuing to learn about conservation in agriculture.
