As a female Agriculture major, there are a few stereotypes that are automatically associated with you. That you came from a farm (you got me), you live far away from the nearest mall (you got me), and that you feel more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt than a dress (you got me).
With a few stereotypes that fit me, what makes you so certain we all are the same? In fact what's also interesting is that it's not just other majors that poke fun. I've been told my major of Agriculture Communications is an "easy" major or that my college education will get me the job of making sandwiches for my husband during harvest season.
So here are a few things that I along with my other female agriculture major are tired of hearing:
"You're a girl studying agriculture? Are you just here to find a man with land?"
No, in fact that's really insulting. Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of the top ranked in the nation and I'm here to earn a college education. I want to make a difference in this industry that I love and the fact you think I'm a gold digger trying to marry my way into a rich farm family; that's a special kind of stupid. I'm here because I'm smart and driven, and that's why I'm working for a double major, not to give up my dream and get an MRS Degree.
" So if you're from a farm, where are your cowboy boots?"
(Oh mygod Karen, you just can't ask people where their cowboy boots are.)
Just because I come from a farm and may own a pair or two, it won't be my fashion choice of the day. They really don't go with leggings. Also, my cowboy boots double as my work boots, so you really don't want me wearing those in our two hour lectures.
"You're Greek? I thought ag students weren't about that life."
Greek life isn't just for certain majors or people. It's an inclusive place for people to find their home. My house has over 20 Agriculture majors which comes in handy when you need help registering for classes. There's even an ag-based sorority on campus: Sigma Alpha. The sisters who are in my house love me for me—my major included. Being in my sorority helps push me to get better grades, get more experience on campus, and the networking opportunities are hard to beat.
"So you come from a small town right, doesn't that mean you grew up on a farm?"
Yes, I may come from a small rural community, but that doesn't mean every single student grew up on a farm or had the same experiences. The backgrounds of students interested in the agriculture industry is very diverse. Whether it's a girl like me who grew up in small town Iowa or a girl who grew up in Chicago's suburbs, it attracts people who are passionate about the industry regardless of the background.
So there you have it. With 49 percent of the College of Agriculture undergraduates being female, we are here and we are staying. Also no, we aren't going to be making your sandwiches for you. Figure it out yourself. We have a world to start saving.
