Women Farmers Host Fireside Panel on Collaboration, Thought Leadership, and Building Strong Business Circles in Cazenovia

Women Farmers Host Fireside Panel on Collaboration, Thought Leadership, and Building Strong Business Circles at The Brewster Inn

Cazenovia, NY — Four women farmers and founders from across the US are bringing a powerful conversation about collaboration, leadership, and entrepreneurship to Cazenovia this winter. The Lavender Ladies: Building a Thought Leadership Circle That Grows With You will take place at The Brewster Inn in Cazenovia, NY on Monday, January 26 at 5PM, offering an intimate evening of storytelling, discussion, and networking for local business owners, farmers, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The event features Monica Cody of Farmstead 1868 (Cazenovia, NY), Kristi Stites of Balcony Botanicals (CO), Gina Hambly of Hambly Farms (CA), and Erika Malmgreen-Findley of Winterton Farms and Two Farms Brewing (Sullivan County, NY).

The group first met years ago at an agriculture conference and quickly formed a Mastermind rooted in mutual support rather than competition. Since then, they have met monthly to troubleshoot business challenges and gather annually to tour operations, reflect on the past year, and plan for the next.

“This group emphasizes the power of choosing collaboration over competition,” said Monica Cody of Farmstead 1868. “We’re separate businesses, but we grow better and more efficiently together. This event is about sharing how to build that kind of table.  Sometimes, as women in agriculture, it feels like you don't fit at an existing "table"- so we built our own.”

The event will be moderated by WISE Women's Business Center's Jennifer McGee and will explore how entrepreneurs can intentionally build their own “thought leadership circles” — small, trusted groups committed to helping one another navigate growth, challenges, and long-term vision.

“This group has become a pace-partner circle,” said Cody. “We push each other to grow, we show up when things get hard, and we celebrate each other’s wins. This event is about sharing the model that success doesn’t have to be a solo journey, even when it feels lonely.”

Tickets include light appetizers and a cash bar at The Brewster Inn, and a Lavender Mocktail sponsored by The Brewster Inn. Following the program, attendees are invited to stay for dinner on their own. The event is pre-ticketed, with limited capacity.

“This is about changing how we think about community in business,” said Cody. “Instead of competing, we’ve learned the power of being separate but together — and we want to pass that mindset on.”

This event is designed to inspire attendees to rethink who they surround themselves with professionally—and how intentional relationships can accelerate growth. 

Event Details:

📍 The Brewster Inn,6 Ledyard Ave., Cazenovia, NY

📅 Monday, January 26, 5-6:30PM

🎟️ Tickets required; advance purchase at https://square.link/u/0pYrMBvd

For ticket information and updates, visit www.farmstead1868.com