ABSTRACT
The Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) originated in 1994 in Iowa, United States, in response to systemic problems in the food and agricultural sector, including the absence of women’s voices. Since then, we have grown to become a nationally recognized non-profit organization serving women in sustainable agriculture while remaining rooted in an area of the United States dominated by mainstream, patriarchal agriculture. This chapter focuses on three core WFAN programs that engage creative, alternative methods of learning to build community among women and to build a new community-focused agricultural vision. Yet, the actualization of women’s empowerment within agriculture remains challenged locally and unrealized culturally. As researchers and practitioners involved with WFAN, we have a unique contribution to make to the story of agriculture. In this chapter we draw from our experiences with WFAN programs and as members of the WFAN board to focus on these key questions: In what ways do incremental gains for women support or subvert existing power structures? How does WFAN continue to elevate women and remain gender-focused in efforts to achieve systemic change? We explore these questions in the context of three WFAN programs and hope to offer insight into efforts beyond the Midwestern United States.
