About Women, Food and Agriculture Network
Women make up more than half the US population, and own an increasing number of farms. Surveys show that women own or co-own nearly half the farmland in the Midwest. But we are under-represented on the boards of policy-making bodies, and often encounter communications barriers when accessing information from agencies and institutions.
WFAN exists so that women can give each other the information, connections, and encouragement they need to be effective practitioners and supporters of sustainable agriculture and healthy localized food systems.
WFAN members come from all across the US and several other countries. We are diverse in ages (ranging from teens to eighties) and backgrounds. We are farmers, urban gardeners, environmental educators, community activists, academics, and others who care about food and our environment.
Our Mission
To engage women in building an ecological and just food and agricultural system through individual and community power.
Our Vision
A vibrant, community-centered food and agricultural system in which women are strong leaders.
Our Values
Ecological Relationship with the Land
WFAN values human and non-human species diversity, habitat restoration, and ecosystem-centric approaches to land use.
WFAN believes in the core restorative and agricultural principles of soil building, natural habitat revival, and holistic land stewardship approaches grounded in respect for natural systems and cycles.
Interconnectedness
WFAN values the interconnection of ecological justice and gender equity and believes that we cannot address one without addressing the other.
WFAN values relationship building over transactional partnerships.
Storytelling
WFAN values the power of story as a means of connection, communication and knowledge sharing.
WFAN values diverse ways of learning and information exchange which are critical to shifting the dominant narratives in food and agriculture systems.
Ecofeminism
WFAN values an ecofeminist approach to inclusive community (plant, animal, human, soil, water, air) regeneration which grows from a space beyond gender-normed definitions.
WFAN values a relationship with ecological systems that is rooted in reciprocity and compassion.
Justice
WFAN values an anti-racist approach to food and agriculture systems from the ground up, including food and land reparations.
WFAN supports policies that are drafted and implemented by, for and with Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color (BIPOC) communities.
WFAN believes that a relationship with healthy food and clean water is a right, not a privilege.
WFAN believes equity is requisite to creating a respectful, responsive, and inclusive approach to food systems.
WFAN values ensuring animal welfare as an intrinsic part of a just and healthy food system.
Our Herstory
The idea of WFAN was born in 1994, when Iowa organic farmer Denise O’Brien and New York state food justice advocate Kathy Lawrence organized a women in agriculture working group for the United Nations 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing. They were passionate about addressing the absence of women’s voices in agricultural policy in the US and abroad. They wanted to empower women as champions of healthy food and farming systems, food justice, and food sovereignty within their own communities.
Accountability
Strategic Plan for WFAN 2022-2025
Planificación Estratégica para WFAN 2022-2025
Theory of Change for WFAN 2022-2025