Closing the Agricultural Gender Gap
Hello again! If you're reading this, I'm glad you're back. I said I was going to post a lot more often than I have, but, reality hit. Life got busy and I really wasn't feeling any inspiration or motivation to do anything with this blog. I was scrolling through instagram the other day and saw someone post that March was the month to recognize women in agriculture. I thought it was cool, but kept scrolling. As I was heading home from track practice the other day though, it hit me. I could take pictures of some of the girls I knew who wanted to pursue agricultural careers, write a blog about it, and sell some shirts while I was at it! Oh yeah, the cute shirts the girls are wearing in the pictures? They're for sale! Scroll to the bottom of the page if you want to find out how to snag your own. Anyways, why highlight women in agriculture? In a recent study done by the Census of Agriculture, it was found that 36% percent of U.S. farmers are women. This percentage has grown drastically from the 20th century. Not to mention, there's an even higher percentage of women involved in other agricultural careers such as education, sales, and research careers. With a growing population, it's great that we have these empowering women making their way into agriculture. Production rates increase and the rates of hungry people decrease. What's better than that? After some thinking, I figured out some ladies that highlight the attributes of these women in agriculture perfectly. They have a passion for agriculture, have experienced it firsthand, and just so happened to be some pretty good models. They are the future of women in agriculture, so scroll down to meet them!
Niquole
Niquole is a young lady who was born into agriculture. She's a sixth generation farmer and a fifth generation rancher. Niquole believes a woman's character is what sets them apart from everyone else. She believes as women in ag, we represent strength, determination, grit, and courage. When I asked Niquole why she was so passionate about agriculture, she said, "I think agriculturalists are a dying breed because people that live outside of our environment don't see how important agriculture is." Because of that, she believes it's her job to advocate for agriculture and educate the public about the knowledge that may seem common to us, but isn't to others. She is on the right track to doing just that. Right now, Niquole is working on a double major in Animal Science & Ag Business at West Texas A&M University. After accomplishing, she plans to obtain her masters in reproduction with the hopes of one day opening her own breeding facility. She would like to breed her own line of horses. Aside from horses however, she would also like to include artificial insemination, embryo transfers, flushes, and working with genetics for the community she ends up in. She desires to include all of these things in her own cow-calf operations as well. Whether it's on the farm, ranch, or furthering her education, you can find Niquole making in impact in the world of women's agriculture. She says, "It'll shock you how interested and curious individuals can possibly be."
Dalley
"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man." -George Washington
This is the first thing Dalley had to say when I interviewed her about her role in agriculture. She believes this quote is still relevant today concerning agriculture and the men and women involved in feeding the world. Dalley has been heavily involved in the agricultural industry her whole life as she comes from a family of farmers and ranchers. She also has a background in rodeo and has attended West Texas A&M, which is an agricultural college. Dalley obtained a degree in agricultural education in hopes of always teaching young people about agricultural, something she has enjoyed her whole life. Dalley also believes agriculture is something that connects our whole world. She says, "Whether someone is a cattle rancher in Canada or a rice farmer in Asia, we are all connected to help feed our ever growing population." As a woman in this mass of agriculturists, Dalley has been very interested in studying other women in the field. She mentions Molly Goodnight, a cattle rancher's wife who saved orphan buffalos in the late 1800s and Temple Grandin, the expert designer of human facilities for livestock. She believes these women have reaped heavy influence in this industry and many will agree. "I look forward to being one of the women in agriculture that can help teach the next generation of agriculturists," Dalley remarks. If you have ever met Dalley, you know how passionate she is about agriculture and I'm excited to see where she takes her passion.
Loganne
As a junior in high school, Loganne is someone who I've been able to see make big moves towards her career in agriculture. She's grown up around agriculture helping on her grandfather's ranch and showing livestock from the age of nine. Loganne is very involved in her local FFA chapter as an officer, ag sales competitor, and a pretty awesome speaker. Loganne made it to National FFA her sophomore year and ended up placing 3rd in the nation for extemporaneous speaking. Extemporaneous speaking covers a variety of different topics in agriculture, meaning Loganne had to learn lots of information and is now super knowledgeable in those multitude of areas. Loganne says, "Ag gives people opportunities to truly change the world." Loganne recognizes everyone is important in the ag community, but says women need to take the advantage of having a seat at the table for agriculture. She thinks women need to take initiative and demonstrate grit and independence, which can be done through agriculture. After high school, Loganne would like to become an agricultural educator. As of right now, she plans on being a high school ag teacher, but she is also looking into lobbying or post secondary education in ag. Either way, I know Loganne will do a phenomenal job of educating our future in the field of agriculture. Loganne is taking all the right steps to becoming a powerful women in ag and one of those steps is through her podcast, "We Are The Future." You can listen to her awesome podcast through any platform with podcasts.
Closing Remarks
Women in agriculture. Whether it's celebrated or not, women are becoming a vital necessity for Agriculture all over the world. Our population is expected to reach 9.9 billion by 2050. Somebody has to feed the people. According to Global Agriculture, in many countries, women are the main custodians of knowledge on crop variants. We still need men in agriculture, but like Loganne said, women need to take their seats at the table of agriculture. Teamwork is required in all aspects of life, and that includes agriculture.
T-Shirt Sales
If you're interested in purchasing one of the three T-shirts below, please check available sizing and price beneath each shirt picture. At this time, I have a limited number of shirts and sizes available. I apologize for any inconvenience. If you see your selected size, Venmo me the amount owed with a description of the T-shirt you would like, your desired size, and a phone number to contact you at. If shipping will be needed, please include an address and $5 more dollars to cover shipping costs.
Venmo: Avery-walter-3
Ex.
"Ag Babe" T-Shirt
Size Large
719-123-4567
"Agriculture" Sunflower T-Shirt
Price: $15
Sizes Available:
-1 xs
-3 mediums
-2 larges
-1 extra large
"Ag Babe" T-Shirt
Price: $15
Sizes Available:
-1 medium
-3 larges
-1 extra large
-1 2xl
"Life is Better on the Farm" T-Shirt
Prices: $15
Sizes Available:
-2 mediums
-3 larges
-3 extra larges
Thanks for reading!
If you'd like to schedule your very own photo session, please contact me at averymariephotography03@gmail.com
