A few months into pandemic-related shutdowns, many of my friends texted me images of soil-filled plant pots sprouting with seedlings of chili peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mint. In the photos, the pots appeared in the corner of their porch or patio, where they could get ample sunlight throughout the day. I, too, began proudly snapping images of my stubby jalapeño plant and tall sunflower stems in my makeshift garden.
My friends — the aspiring gardeners — were all women. We found comfort in the routine of watering, pruning, and weeding. This sprouting interest isn’t uncommon. Since 2009, the number of women earning agricultural degrees has far outpaced men. But throughout history, women have played a key role in how we source food.
Today, women-run farms are growing fast, and it’s impacting how the industry operates. From taking a more community-centric approach to new farming methods, women are playing a vital role in the evolution of farming.
The Number of Women Earning Agricultural Degrees Is Growing In the 1980s, about one-third of agricultural science degrees were awarded to women. Today, women make up more than half of the graduates. This trend is similar to the growing number of women in STEM fields who have been underrepresented throughout history.
In California, which accounts for over a third of the production of the nation’s vegetables and even more of its fruit, the number of women earning agricultural degrees far outpaces men. At the University of California, for example, 79% of the graduates in agriculture-related majors in 2020-2021 were women.
“We know that women have always been essential parts of the farming community in California. But their roles have often been overlooked in behind-the-scenes tasks that are undervalued as key pieces of [agricultural] operations’ success,” said Caitlin Joseph, Women for the Land program and policy manager at American Farmland Trust.
There are a few reasons women may be drawn to the agricultural sector, particularly farming.
Why More Women Are Entering Farming While women have always been an essential part of the farming community, their roles have historically been behind-the-scenes, with contributions to marketing or building customer relationships.
However, 56% of U.S. farms today have at least one female producer. There are 1.2 million female farmers overall, representing 36% of the nation’s farming population.
Women are becoming increasingly interested in the community-centric role of farming and how they can collaborate with their peers to achieve tangible crop results. According to the women who work at the Greenmarket farmers market and farm stands in New York City, farming is exciting because there is always more to learn.
“As soon as you think that you’ve hit your stride, something happens, and it's a real lesson,” said Shereen Alinaghian, owner of Ardith Mae Farmstead Goat Cheese. “But that's one of the reasons I love farming so much. It’s never boring.”
Wendy Oakes Wilson, who owns LynOaken Farms, says the most exciting part about farming is that you can play many different roles: an accountant, lawyer, marketer, and more. It’s a never-ending challenge and learning curve.
As the number of women-run farms grows, the way farms operate is also changing.
How Farming Is Evolving As Women Enter the Sector In moments of crisis, women have often been the ones to fill in the gaps in resources and supplies. This is because many women-owned businesses operate with a community mindset, according to Joseph.
For example, amid the pandemic, Radical Family Farm, located in California, stepped up to feed Bay Area seniors, who were immunocompromised and couldn’t go grocery shopping. Sharing with the community is a trend among female farmers, who are changing the industry in several ways.
1. Community Mindset
According to the World Bank, women have played a key role globally in reducing world hunger. Female farmers' community mindset often translates as being less focused on profit and more on collaboration.
This means sharing tips on smart watering practices, irrigation efficiency, and changes in environmental restrictions. Women-run farms are also often more willing to help during periods of crisis, and they aren’t afraid to ask for help.
Additionally, women-run farms are more likely to sell directly to local consumers. This is represented in the greater number of female farmers-market managers and buyers compared to men. In Washington, for example, 73% of farmers markets are managed by women.
This community mindset can also be seen in fewer workers laid off from women-run farms.
Source: thomasnet.com
Categories: New York, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables