Last week I joined 150 others at the Women in Sustainable Ag Conference hosted by our sister program the Pennsylvania Women’s Ag Network. It was wonderful to be in the company of women all dedicated to agriculture. Here is what I learned (or relearned) in those four days…
- Sometimes, women just need to be in the company of women. It’s not about
pushing men out…it’s about women sharing their stories in the company of women. - We have deep and amazing wells of talent that we have only begun to tap. We need to nurture those talents. We are resourceful and creative.
Heidi Secord, Josie Porter Farm
- We are not clones of one another. We have different value systems–we farm on large farms and small. We farm in the country and in the city. We are all ages, shapes and colors. We raise plants and animals. We are smart, strong, and thick-skinned. We are nurturing, empathetic and genuine.
- We understand how to run a business but sometimes our heart is just too big for our own good.
Karen Washington
- The future is in good hands. There are many amazing young women who are ready to carry on our work.
- Women are natural multi-taskers.
- There is still a lot of work to do.
- Food is a social justice issue!
Thanks to our PA sisters. It was a blast.
I was so excited to be able to be a part of such an amazing event. I met so many great women, and learned so much that my mind had a hard time to keep it all in. I thank UVM for giving me the opportunity to join them