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Pollinate event promotes inclusivity in ag

Several conservation districts throughout Michigan are inviting farmwomen and others together to break down barriers in conservation adoption.

Agriculture specialist Casey Carpenter tells Brownfield primarily husbands enroll in conservation programs on behalf of farms and it can be an intimidating process for others.

“I want the women in the farm family to feel empowered when they walk into the office,” they say.

Carpenter helped develop the Pollinate Conference last year to better support women farmers and increase inclusivity outreach.

“So that people can learn the ins and outs of them and they can feel confident when they walk into that FSA office or the NRCS office, and if they’re the ones signing the paperwork,” they explain.

In addition to conservation practices, the event has created a safe place for people to discuss mental health stigmas in agriculture and navigating male-dominated industries.

Additional sessions are planned throughout Michigan in November and Carpenter says coordinators plan to rotate them throughout the state in future years.