The Growing Influence of Women in Agriculture
Women play a pivotal role in modern agriculture, making up more than a third of the producers in the United States. For any women who are interested in rolling up their sleeves and earning a living from farming or ranching, many fulfilling career opportunities exist.
female producers in the U.S.*
The Evolution of Women in Agriculture
Over the course of history, many notable women have made their mark on agriculture. In the 19th century, Anna Baldwin developed an early suction milking machine that paved the way for a revolution in dairy farming practices, and Harriet Williams Russell Strong was a pioneer in water conservation and dry land irrigation, as well as a leading commercial grower of walnuts in the U.S. In the early 1900s, Dr. Mary Engle Pennington developed safe and sanitary methods for processing, storing, and shipping dairy products, poultry, eggs, and fish which revolutionized the supply chain.
In the 1990s, cereal chemist and researcher, Dr. Evangelina Villegas, collaborated with Dr. Surinder Vasal to develop Quality Protein Maize (QPM). QPM grain contains nearly twice as much lysine and tryptophan, which allow the body to produce complete proteins and meet the nutritional needs of humans and animals.
Today, more women are choosing careers in agriculture. Compared to 2017 when women made up only 26 percent of the sector, the 2022 Census of Agriculture shows they are now 36 percent of the country’s producers. These women are responsible for farming 407 million acres that account for $222 billion in agriculture sales. While only 8 percent of farms are women-run, female producers are slightly younger and more likely to live on the farm they operate than male producers.
Why Women are Choosing Careers in Agriculture
One of the great things about a career in agriculture is the variety of roles to choose from. Beyond hands-on work on farms or ranches, there are also opportunities in management, science, technology, policymaking, transportation, finance, sales, and marketing.
AgTrust is proud to have many women on our team who come from agricultural backgrounds, as well as a few who are still active in it today.
Shannon Berry-Strube was raised on a citrus and cattle farm, and Marissa Diles and Lindsey Ellsworth both grew up on cattle ranches. When they’re not helping our customers find customized financial solutions, Macy Bankenship is growing her herd of Brahma cattle, Katy Davis shows registered heifers at local jackpot shows, and Elizabeth French stays busy with the registered Black Angus Cattle cow-calf and forage operation she owns and operates.
female producers in Texas, more than any other state.*
Programs and Resources for Women in Agriculture
Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just getting started, there are many resources available to help you on your agricultural journey.
For students, the FFA offers high school programs to help prepare for careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. They also award more than $2.5 million in scholarships for ag-related trade schools, vocational certificates, and two-year or four-year degrees.
Many colleges across the country offer agricultural sciences degrees to equip students with the knowledge and skills they’ll need for a producing career. Closer to home, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Association of Community Colleges, and New Mexico State University Extension Association of New Mexico offer local training and education opportunities, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has great resources for beginners.
If you want to start your own farm or ranch, the Small Business Administration has entrepreneurship resources to launch a new business and compete in the marketplace, in addition to training and funding opportunities specifically for women.
Once you’ve settled into working on a farm or ranch, there are professional networks that offer additional assistance and community support. Ag Women Connect is active in New Mexico and has local chapters in Fort Worth, Parker County, and Taylor County, Texas. The group is committed to supporting and empowering women in agriculture and provides trustworthy resources, education, event, and community opportunities. There is also a Texas affiliate of American Agri-Women, which is a coalition of farm, ranch, and agribusiness women who work together to promote agriculture.
The Future of Women in Agriculture
Looking ahead, there’s a lot of opportunity for women to build successful agriculture careers and make their mark on the industry. Next year has even been designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to raise awareness of the importance of supporting women producers to bolster food security and ensure economic stability.
As more women tap the robust community, financial, and training resources available to them, we predict that women will play an increasingly larger role in our agricultural system.
AgTrust is proud to support women in ag through career opportunities and lending that specializes in agriculture. If you’re eager to start farming or expand your agricultural operations, talk to an AgTrust lending expert today about how we can help.