About the Women’s Environmental Institute

The Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and Chisago County charity organization. WEI is an environmental research, renewal and retreat center designed to create and share knowledge about environmental issues and policies relevant to women, children and identified communities affected by environmental injustice.

The Women’s Environmental Institute works for environmental justice through agricultural, food, gender and racial justice strategies in urban and rural places.

Founded in 2003, WEI’s original mission was to be “a place for women and allies to renew, learn and organize for environmental justice.”

Get to know WEI – Watch our 20th Anniversary Celebration Video!

Programs

Currently the work of WEI is organized by four major programs.

Farming

WEI operates the Amador Hill Farm and Orchard, a 60-acre certified organic education and demonstration farm and woodlands. Farm programs include the WEI CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Fair Table (formerly Veggie Rx), the North Circle Online Farmers Market, the Mill City Farmers Market, and farm Volunteer and Workshare programs.

Education

WEI offers a variety of classes and training to our rural and urban communities focusing on hands-on organic farming, foraging and herbalism, nutrition, food preservation, aquaponics, bee-keeping, and other topics that support sustainable, regenerative agricultural, food and health systems.

Environmental Justice Research/Advocacy

WEI environmental justice initiatives include collaborating with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s fight to purchase the former Roof Depot site for an urban farm and community hub, the Southside Green Zone Council, and Nawayee Center School. WEI also provides board representation on the Little Earth of United Tribes Housing, Wicoie Nandagikendan, on Healthy Legacy’s Steering Committee, and is a member of the Indigenous Food Network.

Eco-Retreat Center and FarmStay

WEI offers an Eco-Retreat Center at Amador Hill Farm as a community resource, and a FarmStay Program for people to stay overnight to explore the land and learn more about WEI’s mission and work. The Center also provides a venue for numerous annual events open to the public and free of charge.