Here at the VT WAgN office, we are busy helping our mid-west colleagues prepare for the 4th National Women in Sustainable Ag Conference: Cultivating Our Food, Farms and Future. The conference will be held November 6-8, 2013 in Des Moines, IA, hosted by the Women, Food & Agriculture Network.
Women farmers at 2010 WISAC.
The first ever Women in Sustainable Agriculture Conference, fondly known as WISAC, was held here in Vermont in 2005. We followed up with another one in 2010, and then the folks at Pennsylvania WAgN took it on, organizing a great conference in 2011.
From the beginning the conference has had a national draw, bringing women from all backgrounds and varying experiences together to network, share and learn from one another. And let me say, there is nothing like being in a giant room full of women farmers. The mash up of grit, grace and spunk, as well as knowledge and skill…did I mention intelligence and kindness…and humor and…well, join us at the conference to see for yourself!
Workshop at the 2010 WISAC.
Right now, the planning team is seeking presenters for the upcoming conference. You could be one of them! Presentations are invited in the following tracks:
- Cultivating our Food/Fiber (production-related topics);
- Cultivating our Farms (management, human relations and farm transfer topics); and
- Cultivating our Future (leadership, network development and policy topics).
We are looking for for proposals from farmers, educators, activists and agricultural professionals involved in sustainable agriculture. Women engaged developing healthy, locally based food systems are our target audience.
Farm tour at 2010 WISAC in Vermont.
We anticipate offering a variety of learning opportunities including workshops, discussion panels, and round table sessions. Participatory formats are always encouraged.
Break our your creativity and share your wisdom! And please share with your contacts!
Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2013. To submit a proposals go to http://www.wfan.org/2013_national_conf_proposal_form.html. For more information on the conference and submissions visit http://www.wfan.org/2013_National_Conference.html.
Hope to see you in November!
