By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture is organizing a series of gatherings aimed at connecting women landowners across Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas.
These events are part of the Women Landowners Leading Regeneration (WLLR) project, which focuses on building a supportive learning network for women interested in implementing regenerative practices on their land.
Kelly Wilson, associate director of the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Women own roughly 25% of U.S. farmland an estimated 354 million acres but are often overlooked in traditional conservation outreach,” Wilson 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 is a collaborative effort involving the University of Missouri, the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, and E Resources Group.
Additional partners include consultants Jean Eells, Rebecca Christoffel, and Jennifer Simmelink, executive director of the Kansas Soil Health Alliance.
The program is tailored especially for women who own farmland but are not directly involved in farming operations.
In-person sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Columbia, Missouri (May 5), Manhattan, Kansas (May 12), and Winterset, Iowa, which has been postponed until fall 2026. These gatherings will be followed by three virtual sessions to continue engagement and education.
“WLLR is rooted in the ‘Women Caring for the Land’ model, which uses a peer-to-peer learning circle approach proven effective in increasing women’s knowledge, confidence and ability to advocate for conservation outcomes on rented farmland,” Wilson said.
Participants will explore conservation practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, along with available cost-share and incentive programs. “This effort is about building bridges between women landowners and the conservation tools available to them,” said Wilson.
“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.”
“We’re connecting women landowners with one another and with resource professionals who respect and understand their goals,” Project co-leader Olivia Caillouet said.
“We want to make sure that everyone has a chance to attend, so fully virtual learning circles will be available starting in 2027.”
For more information contact Makayla Zimmerman at vorism@missouri.edu or register online.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pixdeluxe
Categories: Missouri, Education, Rural Lifestyle