Who We Are

We are women land stewards of all kinds who share a passion for taking good care of soil, water, and wildlife. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, an owner or a renter, a farmer or a gardener - we would love to work with you. This project equips women to implement conservation practices that can benefit their businesses, their ecosystems, and their communities. The MNWiC mission is to connect women with the resources and relationships needed to achieve their stewardship goals. By sharing stories, knowledge and experience, we are working together toward a brighter future for this one precious earth. We'd love to work with you.

What We Do

We build networks, connecting women land stewards to each other and to conservation professionals. Four Regional Coordinators facilitate Learning Circles, Field Days, and relationships with local experts who can develop free custom Conservation Plans with participants. Our team works with USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) staff to assist women in applying for federal farm program assistance and funding to adopt climate smart practices on their land. Click HERE to get involved.

Field Days

We gather at women's farms, gardens, and restoration properties across our four Regional Networks to see conservation practices up close and ask questions right there in the field. We provide a meal, a farm or property tour, and networking time. These environments allow participants at every level of experience to see new ideas in action and get to know local mentors and professionals who can help them move forward toward their conservation dreams.

Learning Circles

These peer-to-peer meetings are built on the idea that each of us has something to contribute and something to learn. At inspiring venues, we enjoy snacks and bring together women landowners, land leasers, farmers, farm workers, gardeners, property managers, and the land-curious to connect with each other and with local conservation professionals. Farm agency staff answer questions, provide guidance, and share resources in casual women-only settings.

Conservation Plans

Conservation planning is a vital component of identifying practices that are right for a particular piece of land. MNWiC connects women with conservation professionals who will do a land walk with them to establish challenges, opportunities, and goals, then write custom Conservation Plans with suggested practices. MNWiC will also guide women through the process of applying for technical assistance and cost share funding from federal farm agencies.

Nurturing Land and Community:
Why MNWiC Matters

Women are making important contributions to soil and water conservation. The count of Minnesota women farmers came to 11,722 in the MN 2022 Ag Census report, with an increase of 270 female farmers listing their primary occupation as farming since the 2017 Census. Women producers were managing 9,634,361 acres of farmland across the state of Minnesota.

Female farmers are involved in every type of farming

Grains & oilseed crops (almost 10,000)
Raising beef cattle (4,303)
Producing dairy (948)
Veggies, fruits, nuts (2,038)
Poultry and eggs (1,307)
Sheep and goats (1,093)
Other animals/ horses, rabbits (2,769)

Minnesota Women in Conservation (MNWiC) is a project of Renewing the Countryside in partnership with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). MNWiC's mission is to engage women in conservation conversations, connecting them with the tools and resources needed to develop their own goals. We are building Regional Networks in the outlined areas of the map, but all women are welcome to come learn to implement practices in their own spaces, urban or rural. We are here to nurture land and community. Join us! Reach out and we'll find a Network for you.