This spring has been a season of coming together.
Across several very different—but deeply connected—events, Fields of Sinsinawa welcomed people onto the land to share stories, food, and time. What emerged in both spaces was something simple and powerful: community taking shape.
Women of the Land: Rooted in Story
On April 10-11, about 30 women gathered for Women of the Land: Rooted in Story, an immersive retreat centered on storytelling, land, faith, and community. Co-hosted with Sinsinawa Mound Center, the retreat offered space to slow down and be present with each other and with the landscape.
Over the course of the retreat, participants shared in meditation, outdoor exploration, storytelling, a fire pit, and community singing. There was a quiet unfolding to the experience—strangers arriving with curiosity, and leaving with a sense of connection.
What stood out most was the openness people brought with them: a willingness to listen, to reflect, and to share pieces of their own story. By the end, the group had formed an emerging community rooted in both place and relationship.
We’re grateful for the energy and intention each participant brought, and we’re looking forward to continuing this work. Additional Women of the Land gatherings are planned for July, October, and January, with more details to come as plans take shape.
Grounded Gatherings
In a different but equally meaningful way, our first Grounded Gatherings event opened the door to connection right here in our neighborhood.
More than 50 people joined us at the Grounds Shed for a free pancake and sausage breakfast, stopping in for coffee, a bite to eat, and conversation. Some were new faces, others familiar, but the spirit was the same: people taking time to connect.
Throughout the morning, conversations unfolded easily. A few groups even headed out on informal tours of the land, catching a glimpse of how the landscape is beginning to come alive this spring.
This gathering was a first step in what we hope will be an ongoing rhythm of simple, welcoming moments where people can show up as they are and get to know one another.
We’ll be hosting Grounded Gatherings again on May 20 and June 24 (both Wednesdays), from 6–10 am at the Grounds Shed (2551 County Rd. Z, Hazel Green, WI). Additional dates are likely to follow, and all are welcome!
Field and Farm Tours
Alongside these gatherings, we spent time digging into the practical side of land stewardship—exploring how soil health connects directly to farm resilience and profitability.
In March, we hosted Soil, Carbon, and Farm Profitability, featuring guest speaker Bodie Kitchel. Bodie shared insights on WEOC and the role carbon plays in helping farmers reduce inputs while strengthening their systems. His talk sparked thoughtful questions and lively discussion, setting the tone for a full morning of learning. The program continued with a look at the often-overlooked costs of soil erosion, followed by a quiz and Jeopardy-style game focused on cover crops, and a deeper dive into planting with purpose. The mix of technical insight and hands-on engagement made for an energizing and accessible learning experience.
We also had the opportunity to host the second Roots to Results soil health training, organized by the Dubuque County Watersheds. Guest educators Barry Fisher, Hillary Olson, and Alisha Sedlmayer, along with our own Rick Bieber, shared deep, practical knowledge grounded in years of experience. A tour of the fields brought those ideas to life, offering a clear look at how different crops and management practices shape the soil over time.
Beyond these formal programs, the land continued to serve as a gathering place in quieter but equally meaningful ways. We welcomed several groups for meetings and tours, including a visit from the Midwest staff of American Farmland Trust. Their time on the land offered space for reflection, learning, and connection—and included a memorable stop at Berning Acres, complete with sassy cows, chipper chickens, and loveable lambs. We also spent time walking the land with groups of Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and Associates, deepening relationships that are foundational to this place.
And in a sure sign of the season, the bees are back. With help from the local Menominee Achievers 4-H club, we prepared trees, garden beds, and bee boxes in anticipation of new hives. Sinsinawa Associate Mary Goonan guided the effort and returned a couple of weeks later with a nuc of bees, with another hive arriving soon. Their presence is a small but powerful reminder that as the soil comes to life, so too does everything it supports.
Looking Ahead
While all of these events looked different on the surface, they shared a common thread: creating space for connection.
Whether through learning, exploring, storytelling circles, or shared meals, these gatherings are part of a larger intention—to build relationships rooted in land, community, and care. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us this spring and helped bring that vision to life.
We look forward to continuing the journey together in the months ahead.
