Women farmers and ranchers play a vital role in not only American agriculture but also in helping to produce the food and fiber which helps to feed and clothe communities around the world.
California’s agriculture industry plays a major role in the state’s economy as well as the US overall. Over 76,400 farms and ranches generate well over $100 billion in agriculture-related activity each year. As well as being one of only five agricultural regions in the world with a Mediterranean-growing climate, California produces more than 400 animal and plant commodities annually, which is more than any other state. California also leads the way with top products including milk, almonds, grapes, strawberries, lemons, beef and more.
Teach a woman to farm and they will feed a community.
Women farmers and ranchers play a vital role in not only American agriculture but also in helping to produce the food and fiber which helps to feed and clothe communities around the world.
With the growing trend of females entering the agriculture industry, the face of farming in California and across the globe is changing. Experts say the growing presence of women in agriculture is having a positive impact on how the agriculture industry operates, especially in the face of generational challenges like the recent pandemic and the climate change issues we are facing. Recent studies show that women-led businesses are more likely to take a community-minded approach to how they operate, working with the mindset to help fill in gaps during a time of crisis.
Over the last five years, the number of male farmers fell, while the number of women farmers rose. According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, California women-run farming operations represent 37% of all the producers in the state.
Females also outnumber their male counterparts in 4-H and higher education programs related to agriculture.
American Farmland Trust reported that 75% of students who earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture-related majors at the University of California, Davis over the past several years were women. This trend tracks with the rise in the number of women majoring in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and establishing careers in physical and life sciences, which comprise agriculture as well.
The increasing presence of women in agriculture, particularly in California, is a positive sign for the industry’s future. We can only imagine the great things that will come from this trend as more women take on leadership roles, make their mark in the industry, and help feed the world.
Photographs of Emily Ayala and Mary & Martin McGrath by Viktor Budnik
