|
|
June 2005 |
|
 |
Southwest Farm Women's Network
|
What is SWFWN?
|
| Our History |
|
The Southwest Farm Women's Network (SWFWN) began in 1989 with farm women
in the region responding to a growing desire to meet and discuss farm and rural issues.
Our main goal is to provide educational and networking opportunities for rural women
throughout the Southwest Region. This includes providing information about rural women's
issues to the suburban and urban population.
The Network is interested in the concerns of women in rural areas. This is reflected in
our Mission Statement. |
|
| Our Mission Statement |
|
"To address challenges farm & rural women face within their
families, communities, and the agriculture industry through education, support, and
sharing."
We accomplish this through a newsletter that we publish about four times a year. We also
hold an annual seminar and bus tour. We help women network with other organizations and
services as well as each other. Rural fellowship is often a welcomed result of our
efforts. |
|
| Who are our Members? |
|
We are women involved in all areas of the agriculture industry. We are
farmers, full-time mothers, retired individuals, and professionals. We live on farms of
all sizes, in rural communities or urban centers. We are also Moms, Grandmas, Aunts,
Sisters, and Friends and busy just like you - Come join us! |
|
| Where are We Found?
|
|
Our area covers from the Saskatchewan provincial border east to Carberry,
and from the USA border north to Riding Mountain National Park. We always welcome women
from outside the area that wants to participate and happen to be in our area for an event. |
|
| How are We Organized? |
|
We are a volunteer organization. We are regional rural women including the
Manitoba Agriculture and Food Home Economists.
Our Steering Committee consists of about twelve members who do their best to address the
needs of the membership, administration duties, funding issues and initial planning
aspects of the Network's events. They meet bi-monthly.
Our Event Committees have women from our Steering Committee as well as other SWFWN
members. They volunteer their time to plan and make all of our events happen.
Our volunteers are fabulous, talented women and we appreciate each of them. |
|
| How are We Funded? |
|
For our events, we charge nominal fees to help offset the costs. At this
time, there is no membership fee and hopefully this continues into the future.
The SWFWN has also been fortunate to receive grant money from various organizations. The
Steering Committee handles all grant applications. |
SWFWN Record of Accomplishment
|
| Seminars |
|
The Southwest Farm Women's Network has developed or sponsored various
seminars. Through a variety of topics/themes, learning and sharing have been key goals.
Topics have included:
- Building Success in Community Organizations
- Marketing Yourself, Your Business, Your Community
- Taking Advantage of Community Opportunities
- Assessing Your Skills
- Communicate with Confidence
- Co-operative Ventures
- Starting Your Own Business
- Hurrah for the Family
- The Changing Face of Rural Manitoba
- Diversification and Farm Development · Promoting Agriculture Positively
|
|
|
| Speakers |
|
Guest speakers are invited to each of our events. Their expertise and new
approach provide additional opportunities to learn and grow.
Contributors are from varying walks of life. They include professionals and other farm or
rural women. The forum will take different forms including lecture, workshop or panel
discussions |
|
|
| Bus Tours |
|
Since 1994, the SWFWN has organized very successful entrepreneurial tours
of the Manitoba Southwest Region. They include various rural enterprises women are
involved with on or off their farms or growing within a rural community.
Tours allow women to see community support for small business. Tours include food, animal
and machinery enterprises, environmental support initiatives, service providers and
crafters. Many area people become guest speakers throughout the day when visits are not
possible.
The Network is excited about providing more opportunities to travel through rural Manitoba
and explore the many talented people that contribute to their local economies. |
|
|
| Leadership Development |
|
We are still growing and Leadership Development is the newest of our
endeavors. Specific skill topics are chosen to work on at each event. Our belief is that
success is achieved by on going development on one's self. Topics such as Understanding
Personality Style, Appreciating Your Volunteers, and Marketing Skills aid women in growing
themselves and their businesses. |
|
|
|
|
There is no membership fee! You just have to be a rural woman and come to
an event! Contact us any of the following ways:
| email or visit your
Local MAFRI GO
Team in the Southwest. |
To receive the newsletter and notification of
upcoming events please included your name, address (email and/or snail), and phone number. |
If you would like to join our Steering Committee or one of our Event
Committees, please contact our
Southwest GO Team. |
|
|
|
| |
|
HomeContact
UsAbout
ManitobaDepartmentsLinksPrivacy