TLC hosts Learning Circle for Women Farmers and Farmland Owners Aug. 14

Women who own or manage farmland or who have an interest in farming are invited to a Learning Circle hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The Learning Circle will be held Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gold Fern Farm at All Grass Farms, 18N681 Route 31, Dundee.

Participants can register online at ConserveMC.org or email chodge@conservemc.org. The event is $5 per person. Morning refreshments and lunch are included. The deadline to register is Aug. 12.

This Learning Circle will focus on topics such as growing cut flowers, including incorporating native flowers, flower breeding, transitioning away from tillage and plastic, and hosting on-farm workshops.

Jeanne Janson from Illinois FarmLink will also join the group to share information on how they connect farmers and land.

Gold Fern Farm is located within All Grass Farms, so participants will also get to see some of their regenerative pastures and practices during the day. Participants will go home with a lovely bouquet of farm fresh flowers.

Guest speakers include: Anna Guziak-Prochnicka of Gold Fern Farm; Sarah Michehl of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County; and Jeanne Janson of Illinois FarmLink.

Nearly half of all farmland in Illinois is owned or co-owned by women, and many women manage farmland on their own. The event is open to women with all levels of experience, whether they are actively managing a farm, or they have recently inherited a farm and are learning about how to run a healthy and productive operation.

The Learning Circle will provide women the opportunity to meet other landowners, share their farm successes and challenges, discuss goals for their land, and get advice and technical assistance.

TLC will hold one more Learning Circle on Sept. 18 in 2024. Visit ConserveMC.org to learn more.

The Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and preservation of natural and agricultural land in McHenry County.