More than 50 percent of farmland in the U.S. is owned or co-owned by women. Center for Rural Affairs has designed workshops and learning circles specifically for women non-operator farmland owners.
The peer-based model of learning circles assist women landowners with connecting to resources that aren't reaching them, and women prefer the intimate women-only setting.
Whether the farmland was recently inherited, owned for years in a trust, or the land is going through a transition, learning circles provide opportunities for women to connect with programs, resources, and one another.
Case Studies
Learn about some of the women who have participated in our learning circles and practices they've put in place in their operations as a result.
- Joan Buhrmann - Sprague, Nebraska. Read about her on our blog.
- Stephanie O'Keefe - Blair, Nebraska. Read more on our blog.
- Marilee Polacek and Katie Polaceck - Bruno, Nebraska. Read about them on our blog.
Resources
We created a resource guide for women non-operator landowners. If you are a woman who has attended our learning circles on estate planning, managing risk, or soil health, this guide includes every handout, worksheet, or presentation we've had available at these workshops in a complete resource. If you'd like a copy of this resource for yourself or someone you think may be able to benefit from it, contact Sandra Renner at sandrar@cfra.org or 402.687.2100 ext. 1009.
In addition to our for women non-operator landowners, we have also partnered on the Women Caring for the Land Program to bring it to Nebraska communities.
Learn more about resources available from Women Food and Ag Network for women non-operator landowners here and from American Farmland Trust here.
Many resources are also available to help navigate farm land management, such as these resources on Terminating a Verbal Lease Agreement, Flooded Cropland Lease Adjustments, and this resource on Adjusting Pasture and Hay Ground Leases for 2019. In addition, there is a document library available from North Central Risk Management Center.
Virtual Farm Tours
You don't need to wait until the weather cooperates in order to take a farm tour. Take a virtual farm tour from the comfort of your own home to learn more about operations on a farm and practices in place.
Visit the 360 Farm Tour YouTube page for more virtual farm tours.
