Nurturing Land and Leadership
After years of connecting through screens, we're stepping boldly into shared space at California's Paicines Ranch, where WIR began its journey and where we will build upon resilience, nurture land, and inspire leadership.
The Spring '25 Confluence is designed to spark meaningful conversations and deepen connections to the land and one another. This immersive experience offers participants the rare opportunity to engage with each other and with guest speakers, exchange ideas, share stories, and celebrate the power of collective action. Through collaborative activities, open dialogue, and thought-provoking panel discussions, we will build on our roots, laying the groundwork for continued growth.
The past four Confluence gatherings have all been virtual, which allowed us to bring an immensely diverse group of participants and speakers from around the country. Especially during the pandemic, a virtual Confluence enabled us to gather from afar and join together in community when the world felt like an isolating place for many. We are evolving and adapting to voices from this community who expressed a desire for more intimate Confluence gatherings where there is time and space to build and nurture connections, new and old.
During the '25 Confluence, we will have ample opportunities to share wisdom and experiences over coffee, meals, and time spent together on the land. We believe the energy of gathering together in-person this year will ignite a fire within all of us and deepen our connections to one another and our individual work.
If you’ve been with us from the start, you know the Paicines Ranch has played an integral role in the founding and evolution of WIR.
We’re honored to collaborate with Paicines in hosting this gathering at the ranch in beautiful San Benito County, California, among its sweeping oaks, rolling hills, and endless dedication to cultivating healthy ecosystems from the soil up.
This Confluence represents a powerful homecoming—a return to the foundation that has defined WIR’s mission and spirit. At our core, WIR is a vision first imagined by Paicines Ranch's Elaine Patarini and TomKat Ranch's Wendy Millet to ensure that no rancher stands alone. From the beginning, Elaine's dream was to create a community where every member could count on at least one person—someone who truly sees them, understands their challenges, and celebrates and acknowledges all that they do.
The beautiful Paicines Ranch is nestled in the heart of San Benito County and consists of around 7000 acres of rangeland, 550 acres of row crop ground, and 25 acres of vineyard, all of which are certified organic. Producing 100% grassfed beef, lamb, pork and turkey, the mission of the historic Paicines is to work with the dynamic natural world at the ranch to regenerate the health of the ecosystem from the soil up while growing delicious, nourishing food for our community.
![Cows Green Grass w Oak[2018-04-08]ACA_6844.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e217d78ff8e17b1fc74bc/8f717886-1ea9-4f2a-8bb6-710366c6d45a/Cows+Green+Grass+w+Oak%5B2018-04-08%5DACA_6844.jpg)
![WomeninRanching[2017-02-23]ACA_2600.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e217d78ff8e17b1fc74bc/ebc72760-cde9-4290-8467-3f345bf90f3f/WomeninRanching%5B2017-02-23%5DACA_2600.jpg)
![WomeninRanching[2017-02-24]ACA_2724.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e217d78ff8e17b1fc74bc/c2fe174b-8150-4ad6-8df3-16daf1d23158/WomeninRanching%5B2017-02-24%5DACA_2724.jpg)
Sallie Calhoun, Elaine Patarini, and the whole team at the Paicines Ranch have supported WIR from day one, and we can’t wait to celebrate how far we’ve come at the Confluence this spring.
Read more about the history of WIR + the Paicines Ranch
For questions about registration, lodging, meals or venue email here.
For questions about the agenda, programming, or any other inquiries, please reach out here.
The Confluence is proudly hosted and co-sponsored by Paicines Ranch, along with the generous support of our additional sponsors.
