Miss A started asking questions as the six packs stacked up in the cart, "Are these for you, and Daddy, and Grandpa?"
I replied, "Yes. These are for harvest. We should be in the field soon so Mom is stocking up now while I have a chance and they're on sale."
A woman also checking out the pop special overhead our conversation (Because really, who couldn't with how loud Miss A asks her questions... Plus, we kind of stick out in the grocery store at 10 in the morning on a Tuesday with three girls ages three and under as my shopping companions.) and casually said to me, "Oh, you must be a farmer's wife."
Without even thinking about it I responded, "No, I'm a farmer."
She gave me a puzzled look and said again, "No, a farmer's wife."
Driving the tractor and grain cart during harvest |
I kind of stunned the woman and even myself with my quick reply. So I smiled at her and she smiled back at me and said, "Well, yes, I guess you are a farmer."
I don't know if it was the Millennial in me or what, but it was easy for me to say and confirm that I was indeed a farmer. But have women farmers always been that confident, or have they even thought of themselves as something more than a farmer's wife?
I got to thinking about this more and more as I tagged along through social media at FarmHer's Grow event for young women yesterday. FarmHer works to "shine a light on women in agriculture", and for the second year has led Grow events targeted at females ages 15-23 to explore and get inspired about the possibilities in agriculture. I would have loved an event like this when I was in high school and college! The thing is, women have always been a part of agriculture, and I believe as time goes on, are becoming a bigger segment of the agriculture workforce, whether it be as a scientist, researcher, veterinarian, farmer, etc.
My Farmer and I working together this past spring during planting |
I am empowered that there are events and programs like FarmHer to confirm with women of all ages that you can be in agriculture. As a mother of three girls, I never want any of them to think that because they are females they can't be in agriculture. Maybe Miss A will use her animal handling skills to have her own herd of goats...
Miss A has no fear when it comes to getting dirty and getting the job done |
Miss L last fall helping me in the tractor I can't believe how much she's grown! |
My girls and I at the Farm Progress Show at the end of August |
I would say you definitely qualify as a farmer! Now I am curious as to the age of the woman who balked at that idea. Maybe it's generational? I hope the weather cooperates during the harvest. Be safe out there!
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly the woman I'd say was only in her 60s... Sometimes I feel like women are the hardest or most judgmental of others though, so?
DeleteThanks for the harvest wishes. Hopefully we'll dry-up enough this week to get in the field. We don't need anymore rain!!!
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed this post! It made me chuckle as well as excited about the future of agriculture :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda! :) I appreciate your comments. I really enjoy this post too ;) I'm sure you could just picture my grocery store situation happening...
DeleteThe farmer from whom I get my CSA share is female. My beef is raised primarily by my friend Vicki with occasional help from her husband who works 2 full time jobs and leaves the farming to her. I raise laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys and hogs. While I appreciate all my husbands help with this, I definitely consider myself a small farmer.
ReplyDeleteWell written, well spoken, and well defended!
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