Dear Curiosity Journal,
Around 50 women gathered on the land today for the Wisconsin Women in Conservation Summer Field Day. We circled in the shade, shared stories of our joys and challenges on the land, toured the farm, and learned about conservation plans and working with NRCS for cost share programs. It is so inspiring to listen to the side-by-side narratives from women telling of perseverance through years of working their farm, indecision about what to do with a new property, financial struggles, desire to make a living on the land, wanting to heal the soil, having a heart for wildlife habitat, striving to make a difference, not knowing where to start, and often coming up short. When I look around, I recognize that I’m surrounded by a circle of resilient feminine energy, pushing up against the old ways of managing land and seeking gentler solutions which factor in more than extraction and economics. We’re kicking against the current and circling to co-create shared wisdom and strength. I’m so thankful for the WWIC team for highlighting our land and offering me another sliver of sunshine, a light reminder that we’re making an impact together, and I’m not alone.
~Joy
