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Women in Agriculture

Farming or ranching is a way of life, besides being a business. However, for farmers and ranchers who wish to earn a revenue from their agricultural activities, the business aspects are important to understand, as are the more personal and community-oriented parts of agriculture - and there may be specific aspects of each of these that pertain especially to women.

The Small Farm Center has traditionally worked to provide resources to small-scale and underserved members of the agricultural community, and has recently begun to address topics that may be of specific concern to women farmers and ranchers.

There are many online sources of agricultural information in general, and some of these specifically address women farmers and ranchers. For example, government programs offer resources for women agriculturalists and business owners, along with collecting data about women farmers and their operations.

Websites also provide a public face for community organizations.

Networks


Women’s farming networks facilitate farmer-to-farmer information exchange and have been recognized as helpful to women who balance the many pieces involved in a sustainable farming livelihood. Community groups may work to educate women farmers and ranchers about technical and management issues on their operations. They may also empower women farmers and ranchers by recognizing their historical and current roles as members and leaders of the agricultural community. Many community groups maintain websites to make their information available to a broad and diverse audience.

This Women in Agriculture webpage includes information and links to a selection of organizations and farming networks...for informational purposes, and to give inspiration to beginning and seasoned women farmers and ranchers.

We hope you find these links useful.

Please check back for updates and new information. Contact us with comments or suggestions at sfcenter@ucdavis.edu

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US Government Sites

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
Tip Sheets "Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers"
Also available at the CDC NIOSH webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

It is obvious that farming involves a considerable amount of physical work. Though many farmers and ranchers enjoy doing this type of work, it can take a toll on their physical health, especially if precautions are not taken. Whether planting, weeding, harvesting, packing for sale, or unloading deliveries, these types of activities can cause both acute (such as back injuries) or repetitive (such as repetitive stress injuries) health problems. Though physical labor is the nature of agricultural work, there are simple things that those working in agriculture can do to avoid putting extra stress on their bodies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a 50+ page series of tip sheets on farm work ergonomics to help you and your employees avoid needless injury. Click here for tip sheets, or see the NIOSH webpage for more information.

Entire Document (pdf)

Individual Tip Sheets

U.S. Department of Agriculture Sites

USDA Census of Agriculture

The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) collects and disseminates data on the nation’s agriculture, including farmer numbers and demographics, acreage in farming, types of production, economics, and the environment. The Census of Agriculture is published every five years, and with the next Census occurring in 2007. This information is publicly available and is also used for many purposes including developing policy that could affect you and your farm or ranch operation, as well as influence agricultural programs from subsidies to environmental protection.

Data Tables from 2002 Census US National Statistics

Data on women farmers is available for US and states since the 1997 Census of Agriculture http://www.nass.usda.gov

State Level Statistics


Make sure your farm or ranch counts

Women operators and owners have been undercounted in the past, but recent changes to the Census have made it more likely for women farm operators to be counted. To ensure that more women and other groups of undercounted farmers are included in the 2007 Census, the USDA has set up a special webpage to collect data.

Visit the USDA “Make sure your farm counts” page at https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/ or call the California office at 1-800-851-1127. The national customer service office can be reached at 1-800-727-9540.

Select Community Organizations and Publications

 
Select University-Based Groups