Phrases like, “girls can’t do that...this is a man’s job” or “but, you’re a girl” are the types of phrases that fire me up. Your typical 20-year-old gal enjoys her fair share of shopping, Starbucks, handsome gentlemen and good music. By that description, I would have to say, I fit the mold. However, there’s just one thing — add my burning passion for agriculture into the mix and I am your All-American girl.
Disclaimer: By no means am I here to speak poorly of, nor diss, on the men who work tirelessly every day feeding the growing population in our world. I would never do such a thing because my dad, as well as my papaw, are both those men. The main objective is to shed some light on the role that women play in our world’s largest industry — Agriculture.
Agriculture has long been considered an industry designed with men in mind. In no way is this bad, it’s just how things have always been. If I asked you to picture a farmer, I bet 95 percent of you would see a male, clad in overalls, holding a pitchfork! Probably without even thinking twice! The other 5 percent of you would be women like me. In fact, progressive and empowering women are exactly what we need in an industry that is so important.
While farming has historically been an industry dominated by males, women have been the unsung heroes of the farm family. Prior to modern day agriculture when we farmed by horse and plow, who do you think would take care of the family farm while their husband was away at war? The wife of course. I know this, because many of our ancestors probably did this exact thing.
Fast-forward to agriculture today, who drives trucks of grain from the field, back to the farm to unload, and then back to the field again? The farmer’s wife. I know this, because I’ve watched my mamaw do it, time and time again. (And between you and me, she works just as hard, if not harder than my papaw does.)
Who is the person working hard back at home to prepare a good dinner and to make sure the cattle are taken care of while her husband and son (or father and brother) are working out in the fields? The farmer’s wife and her daughter. I know this, because this is the life I live.
I believe that the “farmer’s wife” or the “farmer’s daughter” play just as important of a role as that of the farmer. You see, I believe that women have always played an important role in agriculture. They just haven’t necessarily been considered the cover girls of the industry. Well ladies, it’s our time.
Today, we have a growing population to consider. Our population is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. As men and women in agriculture, we have to continue to seek out advancements that will enable us to feed this growing population. The task seems daunting, rightfully so, but it is not impossible. Science has allowed us to consider things such as genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) which allow us to produce more efficiently while maintaining a high quality, safe product! Animals are being raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) which are vital to the demands of the growing population. Not only are animals being properly and individually cared for, but they are serving the purpose of what the good Lord put them on this earth for — to feed us! And they are doing this all while having enough space to grow while taking up less land to do so. Women play an undeniable role in developing these sustainable solutions.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) reported that “The number of farms operated by women has more than doubled since 1978. Across the country, nearly 300,000 women serve as principal operators on 62.7 million acres of farm and ranchland, accounting for $12.9 billion in farm products in 2012.” This is becoming a growing trend every single year.
But you see, it’s not just about women who are farmers. The agriculture industry boasts so much more. We wouldn’t be able to see the big picture without highlighting women in the rest of the industry. Let’s talk about agricultural educators. Looking at the 2014 Final Report for NAAE (National Association of Agricultural Educators), including all ethnicities, about 440 educators are women, while roughly 251 are men. What used to be known as an occupation for men has widely become a growing profession for women. Today, agriculture teachers and FFA advisors are predominately women. Ironic considering that Future Farmers of America began as a group of farm boys and didn’t allow women to join until 1969. The organization has since changed its name to the National FFA Organization because it is designed to encourage so much more than “farming.” I think those farm boys would be proud to see how far the organization has come, including the addition of all of these intelligent and hardworking ladies.
Women continue to fill important roles as agriculture’s political leaders, CEO’s of businesses/industries, without minimizing the tireless work of the “farmer’s wives” back at home. If you fit into any of the categories of women that I briefly mentioned, in areas that I didn’t, or a combination role, know that your drive, work ethic, and passion far exceed what some thought was possible.
Check out a company called Pink Tractor. “Farm strong. Woman smart.” When you look over their website, you will see that they feature women from all across the country who share their stories about being a woman in agriculture. They let their voices be heard, they celebrate each other, and they share all types of resources with one another. My favorite part is all of the stories of women sharing why they are so passionate about what they do and why they believe agriculture is so important. I highly recommend you check it out! They even are on social media. On Instagram you can find them under @pinktractorig, Twitter is @PinkTractorTw, and on Facebook just search for Pink Tractor.
I am so proud to be a woman in agriculture, a future woman agricultural educator, a farmer’s daughter, a supporter of the blue corduroy jacket, and an all-American gal who just simply wants to shine some light on an unsung hero in an industry that is so important to me, my family, my state, and the world. I challenge you to help me in sharing this passion as a woman in agriculture!
