Farming is an industry that has long been dominated by men, but that is changing. The presence of women in agriculture has been rapidly increasing over the past few decades, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Historically, the roles of women on the farm have been confined to support functions. However, in a growing number of cases, women are beginning to have influence in leadership roles, as executive members, as farmers, and as researchers.
Since 2006, the proportion of farms under sole female operation has steadily increased from 26.3 per cent to 27.4 per cent in 2011, and this number has continued to rise. On multiple-operator farms, women contribute as much as 40 per cent of the work force.
For young women such as myself, just beginning a career in agriculture, there is no lack of strong female role models. Personally, I am no stranger to the condescending attitude faced by many females in the industry. After a car accident in 2002 that took my mother’s life, I was left as the only girl in a family of boys, a blessing disguised as a curse. My dad spent most of his time working to support our family, and I was left in the care of some of Huron County’s finest farmwomen. I witnessed these exceptional women working countless hours in the barn or fields, only to turn around and prepare a meal for not only their own families, but my brothers and myself, as well. I learned what hard work was from these women, who were not only mothers but also equal partners on their farms.
“More and more women play a leading role in the agriculture and agri-food industry,” said Kellie Garrett, Senior Vice-President of Strategy, Knowledge and Reputation at Farm Credit Canada. “Their leadership makes a significant difference to agriculture and their local communities.”
In 2013, Ontario voted in Kathleen Wynne as the first female premier and Minister of Agriculture. Studies published by the Ivey Business Journal state that, “When three or more women sit on a board, the other directors see the women as individuals with views and personality. Gender is no longer a barrier.” Slowly but surely, we are seeing these kinds of developments across the industry.
In developing countries, women are playing an even bigger part in creating a strong agricultural landscape. In the rural part of India, almost 80 per cent of women work in agricultural settings and are described as the backbone of the industry. Involving more women in agriculture and providing them with the same advantages as men could potentially solve a piece of the world hunger puzzle. It is estimated that farms where women are involved see yield increases between 2.5 to 4 per cent. This potential yield gain could produce enough food to reduce the number of malnourished children in sub-Saharan Africa by almost 1.7 million.
The farmwomen of today are hard working, passionate, and most importantly, have chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. From the fields of sub-Saharan Africa, to Northeastern Alberta, to executive boardrooms across the country, women are becoming a dominant presence in the agricultural landscape and show no signs of disappearing anytime soon.