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Women, Land and Legacy: Building Your Farm's Future Today

Vision

"Women, Land and Legacy helps agricultural women come together to converse, listen, and become empowered to act on their landscape and in their community."

Mission

"Through small group dialogue and focused conversation processes used by Women, Land and Legacy, Iowa agricultural women are given the opportunity to inform agencies and organizations of their needs and what specific outreach strategies would serve them best."

Through Women, Land and Legacy and a very specific process, women are given a voice and empowerment. Women participate as small groups to reflect on specific questions and then contribute through dialogue. This process allows women to share their thoughts, values, and dreams with the small group and also with the larger group of participants. 

Participants in Women, Land and Legacy will:
  • Determine "best idea" strategies to help local women as they make decisions on land.
  • Determine what needs to be done locally to implement these "best idea" strategies.
  • Have the opportunity to make things happen for women in their county.
  • Develop a strong support network of agricultural women in their county or community.

Women, Land and Legacy will be implemented in almost 40 Iowa counties by 2007. The goal of Women, Land and Legacy is to incorporate this concept across the state of Iowa.

This project has developed a tremendous collaboration of government agencies and non-profit organizations. Key partners in the Women, Land and Legacy project include:

  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  • Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN)
  • National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC)
  • USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS)
  • USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)  
  • Local Iowa State University Extension Service

If you would like more information about Women, Land and Legacy and/or are interested in getting started in your county, you may contact Tanya Meyer-Dideriksen with USDA-NRCS at 319-668-8110 (tanya.meyer@ia.usda.gov), Beth Grabau at 515-993-4205 (beth.grabau@ia.usda.gov), Carol Richardson Smith 515-270-2623 (ncrlccrs@mchsi.com).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


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