Fishers & Farmers Workshops
Where watershed leaders gather to connect with farming neighbors and local collaborators to learn, share, and define next steps forward
"It was like thinking with 50 brains and coming away with something real and achievable."
"The process respects you, your story, your lessons learned and allows that learning to be mingled with others to produce a better set of possibilities."
"Not once did a cell phone ring. 3 days.........Not once. Everybody was so engaged."
"This process isn't like other conferences or meetings that tend not to produce real outcomes or learning. It fosters collaboration that's natural-unforced and positive."
"It's the most rewarding workshop & series of conversations you can have, and you will walk away fulfilled."
"You are missing out, this is a must do experience for learning, growing, collaborating."
Want to learn what all the hype is about?
Check out the recap of our recent workshop in Galena, Illinois!
These workshops facilitate skills to help local groups focus, listen, choose a direction, stick together, stay organized, and achieve goals.
Fishers & Farmers workshops connect farmers, landowners, and collaborators with others who are working for sustainable farms, streams and communities in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. At our interactive, no-lecture, professionally-facilitated events participants hear new perspectives, ask questions that matter, host conversations, tell stories of challenge and success, reflect, and identify their own next steps. It is a rich, practical way to learn.
We invite all partners into the same room, with farmers at the center.
Solutions demand participation from all involved in agriculture and conservation delivery systems, including: farmers, agronomists, crop advisors, ag retailers, ag suppliers, nonfarming landowners, women landowners, professional land managers, bankers, realtors, policy makers, conservation professionals, local government staff, and community organizations.
Every voice is heard. Together, we dive in to focus on real, shared work and local solutions. All leave with thoughtful action plans for work at home.
These are not your standard workshops.
"We have learned so many things that we were able to act on in a focused way. I believe we are making a difference in our area as a result. The workshops have given us confidence to act outside our comfort zone."
Participants do not listen to lectures, but share their own diverse experiences and knowledge through conversations.
“Our steering committee walks away from these workshops reinvigorated and affirmed,
and we keep coming back for the learning and connections.”
You will walk away with tangible tools for social progress and a clear framework for next wise steps.
“We learn so much at these workshops, my head is on fire with ideas. I'm looking forward to working with the farmers in our area to generate ideas and come up with action plans.”
