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