According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s census, the number of women involved in agriculture has risen substantially in recent years. Today, an estimated 36 percent of farmers (1.2 million in the U.S.) are female, contributing $148 billion in agricultural sales across 388 million acres.
And according to women empowerment group Pink Tractor, one out of every seven farms is now managed by a woman.
While this is certainly something to celebrate, there are also some businesses out there that take it a step further and do a great job recognizing and promoting women in agriculture. The list of businesses that support women in agriculture is incredibly long, so here are a few of the ones that really stand out:
1. John Deere
Bust out the tissues for this one. This one-minute video titled A Different Kind of Crown and released in 2022 hits you in “all the feels.” You’re sure to shed a heartfelt tear over the beautiful love for his daughter, inspiring her to grow up to become a farmer. Sometimes there really is no truer bond than family on the farm.
2. Pioneer Seeds/Corteva Agriscience
So “HE” married a farmer! As more waterworks and big hearted tears ensue, Corteva/Pioneer have made great strides to highlight women, as well as a video series highlighting female farmers and more strength and inclusion. This one is pretty beautiful. The next generation is on the way … it’s a girl!
3. Wandering Maverick Boutique
A crowd favorite! Click on any social media platform or website link to Wandering Maverick Boutique and you’ll quickly see what they stand for — the #womeninag messaging is everywhere and the first thing you see. The company advocates for women in ag, agriculture education, and they have spotlights every Wednesday and scholarship programs.
4. Cargill
In 2022, Forbes named Cargill as one of “America’s Best Employers for Women,” ranking it No. 27 out of 400 U.S. companies. The Cargill Women’s Network empowers women at Cargill by advancing opportunities while building upon advocacy and scholarship opportunities. The company has also pledged a commitment to 50 percent females in leadership with initiatives to empower female farmers worldwide.
5. Land O’Lakes
She-I-O! With such a growing population of agriculturalists being women, Land O’Lakes makes many statements and song collaborations to highlight them. Female CEO Beth Ford has built quite a positive reputation for herself as a true leader who genuinely cares about improvements to the industry.
6. Farm Credit
In both the U.S. and Canada, Farm Credit continues to lead the way with many great programs like the Women Entrepreneur Program. As one example, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and has dedicated $500 million over the next three years in lending, enhancing events and creating resources specifically for women entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses. Through discussion and research, FCC has discovered three key needs: increased capital, access to business and competency skill development for themselves and their business, and access to tools, resources, and people to learn from and be inspired.
Want to see who else was listed or want to add your own ideas to the discussion? Follow this Facebook post to see who others see as business leaders for #womeninag. The USDA also has many resources and mentorship programs in place for women. Learn more about them here.
Michelle Miller, the “Farm Babe,” is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, writer, and social media influencer and travels full time to advocate for agriculture. She comes from an Iowa-based row crop and livestock farming background and now resides on a timber farm in North Central Florida.
