Women in Agriculture
Women in Agriculture 1
Women in Agriculture
Heather Heath
Dr. Alston
April 2010
AGED
Women in Agriculture 2
Table of Contents
Women Farmers 3
One Woman in Agriculture 6
Female Agricultural Educators 7
Women as Agricultural Extension Agents 11
Women in the Public Arena 12
History of Women in the FFA 15
Women Farmers in Florida 16
Women in Agriculture in Arkansas 17
Women in Agriculture in Minnesota 20
Denise O’Brien 22
The Power of Women in Agriculture in Foreign Countries 22
Women Farmers in Africa 24
The Future 27
Organizations for Women in Agriculture 29
History of Women in Agriculture 30
Women in Agriculture 3
Women Farmers
Women in agriculture are a diverse, important and often overlooked component of agriculture. Over the past several years there has been a growing acknowledgement of the important roles women play in agriculture. However, the US is still dominated by white males who are traditionally in charge of decision-making and operation. As of 2002, about 2% of farms were operated by women, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS). Many of the farms operated by women in the United States are small scale farms that earn less than $50,000 annually. (Female Farmer, 2002) Many women are turning to sustainable and alternative farming because of the difficulties they are facing with traditional agriculture. Women who are Hispanic, African American, and Native American may be especially disadvantaged due to historical and structural racism in farm organizations and federal and state laws in the United States. Today only 1% of farms are operated by African Americans. (Female Farmer, 2002) Many women farm on their own or as partners in the work of family farms. Women on farms perform household tasks, tend gardens, livestock, and assist in the fields as needed. Often women help support
Women in Agriculture
Heather Heath
Dr. Alston
April 2010
AGED
Women in Agriculture 2
Table of Contents
Women Farmers 3
One Woman in Agriculture 6
Female Agricultural Educators 7
Women as Agricultural Extension Agents 11
Women in the Public Arena 12
History of Women in the FFA 15
Women Farmers in Florida 16
Women in Agriculture in Arkansas 17
Women in Agriculture in Minnesota 20
Denise O’Brien 22
The Power of Women in Agriculture in Foreign Countries 22
Women Farmers in Africa 24
The Future 27
Organizations for Women in Agriculture 29
History of Women in Agriculture 30
Women in Agriculture 3
Women Farmers
Women in agriculture are a diverse, important and often overlooked component of agriculture. Over the past several years there has been a growing acknowledgement of the important roles women play in agriculture. However, the US is still dominated by white males who are traditionally in charge of decision-making and operation. As of 2002, about 2% of farms were operated by women, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS). Many of the farms operated by women in the United States are small scale farms that earn less than $50,000 annually. (Female Farmer, 2002) Many women are turning to sustainable and alternative farming because of the difficulties they are facing with traditional agriculture. Women who are Hispanic, African American, and Native American may be especially disadvantaged due to historical and structural racism in farm organizations and federal and state laws in the United States. Today only 1% of farms are operated by African Americans. (Female Farmer, 2002) Many women farm on their own or as partners in the work of family farms. Women on farms perform household tasks, tend gardens, livestock, and assist in the fields as needed. Often women help support
References: Small Farm Digest. (2008).Women in Agriculture. Retrieved March 5, 2010 http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/newsletters/smallfarmdigest/sfd_sp08.pdf Journal of Extension. (2004). A Profile of Female County Agricultural Agents in Today’s CES. Retrieved March 5, 2010. http://www.joe.org/joe/2004december/a3.php Female Farmer, (2002) 2007 Census of Agriculture. (2007). Women Farmers. Retrieved March 7, 2010. http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Fact_Sheets/women.pdf