MOSES - Rural Women's Project

RURAL WOMEN'S PROJECT (RWP)
Resources / Links | Field Notes

The MOSES Rural Women's Project (RWP) supports women farmers and food-based ecopreneurs, providing resources, networking and collaborative opportunities to champion new business start-ups that support food system change.

The number of women farmers increased nationally nearly 30% according to the latest USDA agriculture census, making this group one of the fastest growing segments of new farmers, with the majority launching organic and sustainable operations for raising fresh, healthy food for local communities. More than 40% of these women are under the age of 55, a movement that can start to reverse the aging trend of the American farmer. According to the Center for Women's Business Research, for the past two decades and continuing during the current recession, businesses owned by women continue to grow at two times the rate of all companies.

Despite these trends, few programs and resources exist to target and address the specific needs of women farmers and food-based entrepreneurs, particularly those supporting the organic and sustainable agriculture movement. The Rural Women's Project (RWP), a program of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), was launched in 2008 to specifically provide a voice and leadership for women in organic and sustainable agriculture, both in the Midwest and nationally.

If you have any questions related to the Rural Women's Project, please contact Lisa Kivirist
Sign up for the MOSES mailing list. Be sure to indicate your "area of interest" as "Women in Sustainable Agriculture/Rural Women's Project (RWP)" on the request form.

Rural Women's Project at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference
RWP - Special Session
In Her Boots: Tools, Body Mechanics and Collaboration for Women, By Women
Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:00-5:00 pm Cost: $25.00 
A workshop facilitated by the MOSES Rural Women's Project. This pre-conference session dives into how women farmers can best care for and use their bodies to ensure long-term success through gender-specific tool use, body mechanics, health and nutrition. Also, tips on strengthening collaboration and resource sharing.

In Her Boots: Farm Diversification and Family Integration, for Women, by Women
Saturday I – 8:30 am
Women farmers face unique challenges and opportunities, resulting in innovative ways to champion organic agriculture through creative, diversified livelihoods. Facilitated by Lisa Kivirist, Director of the MOSES Rural Women's Project and co-owner of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B, the workshop will serve up inspiring examples and resources you can use to follow your dreams.

Please see the Organic Farming Conference website to register.

Three Key Rural Women's Projects: 

We welcome your involvement! See links below for more detailed information.

In Her Boots:  Sustainable Farming for Women, By Women
On-farm, Women-led Workshops Supporting the Women in Sustainable Agriculture Movement:  5 events in 2011

Plate to Politics
Cultivating the Role of Women's Leadership in the Sustainable Agriculture Movement

Resources & Links  
Available grants, case studies, resources for women farmers and resources for women entrepreneurs

Rural Women's Project Director, Lisa Kivirist

In addition to leading the MOSES Rural Women's Project, Lisa Kivirist serves as a Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), focusing on championing the voice of women in sustainable agriculture. Kivirist is co-author, with her husband, John Ivanko, of the award-winning book ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance. She and her family run Inn Serendipity Farm and Bed & Breakfast outside Monroe, Wisconsin, completely powered by renewable energy and recognized as one of the “Top Ten Eco Destinations in North America.”  Her culinary focus on organic, local and seasonal cuisine earns recognition in publications from Vegetarian Times to Country Woman and inspired her and Ivanko's upcoming cookbook, Farmstead Chef (Fall, 2011 release).


The Rural Women's Project is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Brico Fund.