Women Landowners Leading Regeneration (WLLR)
Women own an estimated 354 million acres of farmland, about 25% of the nation’s farmland. Most of this population are non-operating landowners: they do not farm nor necessarily live on the land, rather renting it to tenant farmers. Unfortunately, women express feeling alienated by their attempts to obtain information and feel ignored or unwelcome by existing support services. This project, grounded in the Women Caring for Land approach, seeks to provide a unique, hybrid support system for women landowners in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
This project is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through the Conservation Partners Program. This project is led by Dr. Kelly Wilson and Dr. Olivia Caillouet in partnership with Dr. Jean Eells and Dr. Rebecca Christoffel, consultants representing E Resources Group LLC; Jennifer Simmelink, Executive Director for the Kansas Soil Health Alliance.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining our 2027 virtual gatherings, please fill out this interest form. Our team will get back to you with more information soon!
This project offers:
Trainer trainings for conservation professionals (natural resource professionals, extension agents, or private land conservationists)
Want to learn how to expand your clientele to work with more women landowners? This program will offer workshops on how to use the Learning Circle Model, a peer-to-peer learning format shown effective as a way to engage women landowners and producers about land management
Women landowner trainings
Workshops and network-building for women non-operating landowners who own farmland in Missouri, Iowa, and/or Kansas. Opportunities will be offered in-person and online. In 2027, we will offer a fully virtual, four-part learning community for landowners who live in and out of state.
- Missouri: Wednesdays, April 2027 – 7, 14, 21, 28
- Kansas: Wednesdays, May 2027 – 5, 12, 19, 26
- Iowa: Wednesdays, September 2027 – 1, 8, 15, 22
Objectives
- Increased capacity of outreach and resource professionals to develop and implement Women Caring for the Land training cohorts tailored to women landowners on implementing conservation and regenerative farming practices.
- Increased knowledge of women landowners of key conservation practices, through peer-to-peer engagement, to enhance their working lands.
- Women landowners enhanced confidence to participate in farm management decisions and establish lease agreements that require the use of conservation and regenerative farming practices.
- Increased access to and use of government funded cost-shares and incentive payments to support adoption of conservation practices on rented farmland owned by women.
- Increased adoption of cover crops on 30,000 acres and conservation tillage on 10,000 acres owned by women in the Southern Great Plains region.
Event Registration
Step 1: Review Event Options
- Women Landowner Series (Virtual Only)
- Missouri: Wednesdays, April 2027 – 7, 14, 21, 28
- Kansas: Wednesdays, May 2027 – 5, 12, 19, 26
- Iowa: Wednesdays, September 2027 – 1, 8, 15, 22
Step 2: Register for an Event
- Visit mizzou.us/WLLR-registration to view events available for registration.
- After clicking on the event icon, and adding it to your cart, a short survey will be provided.
- There is a $10 registration fee, but you will not be charged until your application is reviewed and approved.
- Once you submit your registration, you’ll see this message: “Thanks for signing up! Your application is under review. We’ll reach out soon with more information about your participation.”
- If approved, you will receive a confirmation email, and your card will be charged at that time.
Step 3: Participate and Engage
- After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your selected event and any additional materials.
- Show up ready to connect. These events are designed to foster open dialogue and community. Whether you’re new to conservation or experienced, your perspective is valuable.
- Engage in peer learning. Our model emphasizes learning with and from others. Come prepared to share your experiences and ask questions.
- Stay involved. Many participants find value beyond the initial sessions by continuing to connect through follow-up events, local conservation programs, or mentoring others.
If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer your spot to someone else.
Questions? Contact us!
Email Dr. Kelly Wilson at kellyrwilson@missouri.edu or Dr. Olivia Caillouet at oliviacaillouet@missouri.edu.