A group consisting mostly of farmers gathered Thursday at the Brunnier Art Museum to discuss the issues relating to women in farming, the situation of agriculture in Iowa, sustainable agriculture and direct marketing.

Much of the conversation focused on buying products from local farms. Food, including goat cheese, apples and cider from area farms, was served.

“I hope people will see the vision for another way of agriculture,” said Cynthia Vagnetti as she introduced her video entitled “Voices of Iowa Farm Women.”

The film, which told the stories of seven women from around Iowa, presented the benefits of sustainable agriculture as well as concern for Iowa’s future.

Women featured in the video said rural and urban people need to start making the choice to spend money locally. They said purchasing food from local farms builds bonds with the community and provides jobs for local children.

The video also discussed the benefits of direct marketing such as selling food at farmer’s markets.

After the video finished, the audience gathered to informally discuss the video and other agricultural issues.

Denise O’Brien, coordinator for the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, said the evening’s issues are particularly relevant to women.

“Women are becoming majority land owners in Iowa,” O’Brien said. One thing consumers can do to help promote new forms of agriculture is purchase more local foods, she said. O’Brien also said she hoped the more traditional farmers present would consider new types of alternative agriculture.

The audience’s discussion included the decrease in diversification among crops in Iowa.

Paul Lasley, professor and chairman of sociology, blamed the devaluing of work for the specialization among crops.

“There is a lot of work to be done [on farms], and it’s more fun to drive a tractor than a garden tiller,” Lasley said.

Another issue raised was the concern for Iowa’s agricultural future.

“The current agricultural system is not well designed for the changes we’ll see in the future,” said Fred Kirschenmann, director of the Leopold Center.

Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, associate professor of history, said the hard work required is what often drives children away from futures in agriculture.

“It’s difficult to make people feel that type of hard labor is worth while,” Riney-Kehrberg said.