Confluence Reflections: Rooted in Resilience and Blooming in Community
When I think back to Confluence, I’m reminded of the thoughtful and generous ways people showed up—for each other, for themselves, and for the land. Gathering at Paicines Ranch, where the idea of Women in Ranching all started felt especially powerful. The evening session began by naming what we were carrying. It was both an eye-opening and grounding exercise to call in what we were holding and to realize how many of us shared common threads, challenges, and hopes for the future. I felt deeply supported by the group I shared with. Throughout each session, one theme consistently emerged: the reminder that we are all perpetually learning and unlearning, and how we show up matters. At the heart of lasting community is a relationship centered on reciprocity and care. The journey of growth doesn’t happen overnight—whether we’re learning to ride a horse with confidence, back a trailer, take on a new position, try something new for the first time, or growing our leadership skills, it all takes time, trust in oneself, and a commitment to the process. The try-hard and collective effort to do something good is what made me feel a sense of being rooted in resilience and encouraged me to let go and bloom! One of my favorite memories came at the very end of the evening when everyone cut loose on the dance floor, learning line dances, tossing inhibitions aside and letting joy take over. I can’t remember if it was Fiona or Molly who shouted, “We need to end on a real banger of a song!” before screaming, “Play Dancing Queen by ABBA!” and to me that was the perfect soundtrack to close a day filled with the magic of gathering together.
-Hannah Luz Rice, WIR Program Manager
Event Overview
Daily Agenda
Friday March 7th
3:00 PM - Check-in at Ranch begins
3:00 - 4:00 PM - Welcome & Settle into rooms
4:00 - 5:30 PM - Group Activity
5:30 - 6:00 PM - Official Welcome & Purpose of Confluence
6:00 - 7:30 PM - Dinner
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Session 1: Balancing Ranch Life: Community, Family, Work, and Personal Well-Being
Saturday March 8th
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Session 2: Starting From Scratch
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Session 3: Women and the Land: Legal, Cultural, and Environmental Leadership
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch
1:45 PM - 3:30 PM No Regrets team: Thinking Like an Ecosystem
4:00 - 5:30 PM - Tea Workshop provided by Mariah Gladstone
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Free Time
6:30 - 7:30 PM - Dinner with Keynote featuring Jen Palmieri and Kristen Kipp
8:00 PM Line Dance Party!
Sunday March 9th
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:45 AM Closing Circle
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pack up / Goodbyes
Session & Activity Outline
Balancing Ranch Life: Community, Family, Work, and Personal Well-Being
Panel Discussion
Women and the Land: Legal, Cultural, and Environmental Leadership
Panel Discussion
Starting from Scratch
Panel Discussion
Team Thinking Like an Ecosystem
Outside activity created in partnership with Paicines Ranch
Tea Workshop
Provided by Mariah Gladstone
Line Dance Party
Instruction provided by Diane Anastasio
Ticket Structure
This event offers 4 pricing tiers designed to be inclusive of different financial situations:
Tier 01 | Community Champion $500
(program, lodging, meals, shuttle)
Tier 02 | Steward of the Land $325
(program, lodging, meals, shuttle)
Tier 03 | Early-Stage Rancher $225
(program, lodging, meals, shuttle)
Locals Pass $175
(program & meals only, no lodging)
Women in Ranching offers two types of financial assistance
- Student Scholarships: 3 full scholarships available for current students involved in Women in Ranching programs.Applications due January 13th, 2025, with decisions announced January 27th, 2025.Apply Here
- Travel Support: Up to $700 reimbursement for travel expenses (flights or mileage), available for active and indigenous ranchers/farmers. Reimbursement provided via ACH on the first day of the event.