Farming

Danielle and Bethany both left the Chicago suburbs about 10 and 11 years ago respectively. We each bought a few acres in the Driftless with a dream to provide food for our families. Between us we raise loads of vegetables, fruits, laying hens, bees, meat birds, pigs, sheep, goats and alpaca. To our suburban friends and family, we were farmers when we bought our first chicks. To our neighbors who milk cows or raise row crops, we were and still are hobbyists.

Though we moved from nearly the same place with the same thing in mind, we didn’t know each other before we came here. We met through a group of very active women called the Soil Sisters. The Soil Sisters are all a part of a List serve - an email group allowing us to send one email that reaches now over 150 women and typically yields half a dozen or more responses. When we joined the numbers were in the double digits. This group meets monthly at a potluck hosted by one of the members. We eat delicious seasonal food. There are lots of egg dishes in March as most of us have chickens who are extremely busy in springtime. It was through this group of women that we were invited to join the fledgling South-Central Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU). Suffering from imposter syndrome, we didn’t know if we fit into the mold of farmer but we both eventually joined and were welcomed with open arms. Bethany has been attending the state convention of WFU since 2015 and Danielle was able to attend for the first time this year.

The Farmers Union helps all sized farmers have a say in what our state and federal elected representatives hear. Together we create policy that supports the livelihoods of farmers and of our rural communities. This year we were approached by the staff to participate in a short documentary film created with funds from Farm Aid and narrated by Wisconsin-based author Michael Perry. According to WFU “the film humanizes complex economic pressures, revealing both the challenges and the inspired actions farmers are taking to reclaim resilience, fairness, and local control. At its heart, All of America, Am I is a call to action; inviting viewers to engage with and become active members of Wisconsin Farmers Union in the fight for strong rural communities and thriving family farms.” This video tells the story of rural America and the how corporate consolidation effects us all. Please take the time to watch the video here.

When Driftless Tannery was just a concept, we sought the advice of both Soil Sisters and WFU members. We asked them if they felt a natural tannery was a worthwhile undertaking. They answered us with a resounding, yes! They have also shown up for us on countless occasions from helping us earn the capital needed to start our business to inviting us to help tell the story of rural America. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of both amazing groups.

Thank you for reading and following our journey.

-Bethany and Danielle