Why is this important?

Groups around the world have been working for decades to build power among women in agriculture (and in general). 

In Minnesota, the Women’s Foundation holds ongoing listening sessions for women. Their goal is “to better understand the lives of women and girls within communities, identify assets and barriers, and fund solutions.” 

In New Hampshire, the Women’s Foundation engages “communities around current issues that state residents are facing. The purpose of our listening session model is to encourage open and honest discussion around various topics. This enables us to both educate and become educated about the numerous issues, and help to be better agents of change by listening to what people of New Hampshire want from our organization.” 

This notion of listening to community members may sound like a simple exercise in engagement. However, it can be built upon to the benefit of participants in different ways.

These conversations build the social capital of women in agriculture in New Mexico. “Social capital” is a term that has been used to refer to the value of being connected in a network of trust. It has been considered essential for sustainable management and development of natural resources in a sustainable way for decades. 

While the concept of social capital may be new, the actual practice of it is not. As long as there has been agriculture, people have engaged in collective action. The management of acequias in New Mexico is a great example of this. It is embedded in our culture. However, it is rare for support groups and agencies involved in agricultural development to acknowledge the importance of building and supporting social capital.