By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture has launched the Women Landowners Leading Regeneration (WLLR) project, a new initiative designed to support women farmland owners across Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas.
The project offers trainings and outreach opportunities tailored specifically to women who own farmland but may not farm it themselves.
“Women own roughly 25% of U.S. farmland an estimated 354 million acres but are often overlooked in traditional conservation outreach,” Kelly Wilson, associate director of the Center and co-leader of the project said.
“Many women landowners want to steward their land in ecologically responsible ways but lack access to the information, networks and support they need. This project fills that gap.”
The WLLR project builds on the Women Caring for the Land model, which emphasizes peer-to-peer learning circles. Wilson noted its proven success: “About 70% of women who attend a Women Caring for the Land meeting will take an action to improve conservation on their land.”
Wilson added that the effort is about fostering stronger connections: “We’re not only seeing increased adoption of practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage, but we’re also witnessing women forming lasting networks of support that strengthen rural communities.”
“Through both in-person and virtual learning circles, we’re connecting women landowners with one another and with resource professionals who respect and understand their goals,” said project co-leader Olivia Caillouet.
Participants will also learn about lease agreements promoting regenerative farming, cost-share programs, and practices such as cover crops and conservation tillage.
The initiative is a collaboration between the University of Missouri, the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, E Resources Group, and the Women, Food and Agriculture Network.
Conservation consultants Jean Eells and Rebecca Christoffel will lead trainings, joined by Jennifer Simmelink, executive director of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance.
The first fall training will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri.
The project will run through 2026 and 2027, with future sessions tailored specifically for women landowners in Missouri.
For details, contact Kelly Wilson at kellyrwilson@missouri.edu or Olivia Caillouet at oliviacaillouet@missouri.edu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pixdeluxe
Categories: Missouri, Rural Lifestyle