Confluence Recap
There are moments where I can feel something meaningful taking shape in real time, and Confluence was one of those. Over a few days, what started as a gathering of women from all over, each bringing different backgrounds and perspectives, became something deeper. People showed up fully, shared openly, and built connections in a way that felt both grounding and invigorating. It felt like stepping into something that was already building. Even just sitting in a room full of conversation, I could still hear it. Little plans coming together, people already talking about future get-togethers beyond this weekend, and how to support each other. I don’t always know exactly what those plans are or what they’ll turn into, but I leave feeling energized by that forward movement, and looking forward to the next time we all come together again.
This weekend brought together women from 16 states (plus Mexico) for a multi-day, in-person gathering centered around land stewardship, livestock, and community. Our time moved between hands-on learning, shared meals, dancing with the wonderful Diane Anastasio, and long conversations that ranged from grazing practices and animal health to bookkeeping, identity, and purpose. We also had the opportunity to learn from an incredible group of speakers and contributors who came from all over the world sharing both technical knowledge and personal experience from their work on the land.
I was blown away by how many of you showed up. Whether it was your first time or you came knowing a few familiar faces, there’s something about putting yourself out there and walking up to someone new, or introducing yourself to someone you’ve only known from afar. That kind of openness doesn’t go unnoticed. This is what being brave looks like too. It’s at the heart of Women in Ranching. holding brave space, supporting courageous action, and championing women’s leadership on the land. And I know this is something we truly captured over those few days together.
By the end of the weekend, there was a shared feeling that something had shifted. New friendships formed, old ones deepened, and conversations that will carry forward beyond these few days. As one participant shared, “I came in unsure of where I fit and left feeling like I belong.” That sense of belonging, and the reminder that none of us are doing this work alone, felt like one of the most meaningful takeaways of all.
- Anica Wu Co-Board Chair
Event Overview
Daily Agenda
Thursday March 12th
3:00 pm Check-in *you can arrive anytime after 3:00 pm
5:30-&:30pm Casual dinner
Friday March 13th
7:30 - 8:30 am - Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45 am - Opening Welcome: Amber Smith + Kristen Kipp
8:45 - 10:00 am - KEYNOTE: Dr. Abegbola Adesogan
10:00 - 10:15 am - Reflection Time
10:15 AM - 12:15 pm - Sheep Flock Demonstration
12:15 - 12:45 pm - Coffee & Connection Opportunity
12:45 - 2:00 pm - Concurrent WorkshopsConcurrent Workshop: Leading with Numbers Cohort Session #1Concurrent Workshop: Grazing Planning and Bird Habitat with Audubon RanchingConcurrent Workshop: Ranch tour: Unlocking productivity and sustainability with Halter's virtual fencingConcurrent Workshop: Kitchen Table Advisors Managerial Accounting with Idara PhilipsConcurrent Workshop: Cooking Class
2:00 - 3:15 pm - Lunch
3:25 - 4:30 pm - KEYNOTE: Building Community, Network and Education for Grassland Stewards by Sargai Yunshaab
4:30 - 5:30 pm - KEYNOTE: You Should Give a Damn About Your Grass by Sarah Jane Abatti
5:45 - 7:15 pm - Vineyard Tour + Wine Tasting
7:15 - 8:15 pm - Dinner
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Line Dancing (optional)
Saturday March 14th
7:30 - 8:30 am - Morning Bird Walk (optional)
8:00 - 9:30 am - Breakfast
9:30 - 10:15 am - KEYNOTE: Walking In Your Own Purpose by Kimberly Ratcliff
10:15 AM - 12:00 pm - KEYNOTE: Identifying & Mitigating Urban, Industrial & Agricultural Water Pollution by Souta Calling Last
12:00 - 1:30 pm - Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 pm - Concurrent WorkshopsConcurrent Workshop: Leading with Numbers Cohort Session #2Concurrent Workshop: Feed'em and Breed'em: Fetal Programming on the Ranch by Sarah Jane AbattiConcurrent Workshop: Record Keeping with Heidi Spainhower of Northway Ranch ServicesConcurrent Workshop: Roots and Continuity: Succession Planning and the Law Behind Legacy by Cat Kelly
3:15 - 4:15 pm - KEYNOTE: The Law of Hard Times For Women Ranchers by Sarah Vogel
4:20 - 5:00 pm - Policy Session
5:00 - 5:15 pm - Coffee & Conversation Opportunity
5:15 - 5:45 pm - KEYNOTE: Paths Forward: Reflections from WIR's Financial Planning Cohort by Caroline Wild
6:00 - 7:00 pm - KEYNOTE: Designing for Change by Cate Havstad Casad
7:15 - 8:45 pm - Dinner
8:45 - 10:00 pm - Fireside Event (Music + Smores)
8:45 - 9:30 pm - Guided Night Hike (optional)
Sunday March 15th
8:00 am Breakfast
11:00 am Depart Paicines Ranch
Ticket Structure
What's Included
Your Confluence ticket provides a fully immersive experience at Paicines Ranch including complete conference programming, shared lodging, all meals prepared by the ranch culinary team, and shuttle transportation.
Beyond the logistics, you're investing in three days of deep connection to the land, workshops, keynote speakers, and to a community of women who understand the unique challenges and rewards of this work.
This year's gathering honors the voices from our community asking for space to go deeper. You'll have time to build genuine connections over meals, learn from each other's experiences on the land, and leave with both practical tools and renewed energy for your ranching operation.