Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** women are underserved and…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** women are underserved and underrepresented in agriculture, which leads to ongoing barriers to accessing land, information, and crucial resources, and feeling isolated or unwelcome in agricultural networks and service offices. The goals for this project include: 1.) providing opportunities for beginning and intermediate (under 10 years) women farmers in the midwest (IA, WI, IL, MN, and OH), to access local mentorship relationships and resources needed to make best decisions for their future business plans and/or current operations, and 2.) giving aspiring women farmers connections that boost interest, confidence and commitment in choosing farming as a career. Ultimately this project will result in greater success rates for the sustainability of women's farming operations and an increase in start-UPS of women-owned and operated farm businesses. The women, food & agriculture network has been coordinating successful aspiring and beginning farmer programming for over 20 years, which has included facilitating one-on-one mentorships, mentor trainings, learning circles and other networking and training opportunities. In addition to these ongoing program offerings, this project will incorporate farm-sitting as a dynamic component, which will give aspiring and beginning women farmers valuable experience managing the day-to-day farm operations. Farm-sitting will also support experienced women farmers in leaving their farms to gain additional education and training opportunities.?