By Carie Moore
You can change the world. With your actions, job, words, faith, family, or whatever you choose. But choose wisely!
Have you ever thought about where would we be as women without agriculture and where would we be in agriculture without women?
On many farms and ranches, there is a woman involved. Either in the field or at home helping with meals, kids, home chores, or field work. As women, without ag in our lives, how would we teach faith, hard work, the life cycle, and so much more to people? It’s still scary that society views agriculture as a “man” occupation.
The book “Entitled to Power: Farm Women and Technology” is one I highly recommend. It talks about the formation of the extension service, and women’s roles when all the men went off to war and women did the farming. It shares how women on the farm drove the advancement of washers, dryers, radios, and other home comfort devices to keep people on the farms instead of moving into the city. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2600173-entitled-to-power
Another great book I’ve enjoyed seeing take off is “Women Behind the Plow” by Sue B. Balcom, a North Dakota writer. It has since become a display at the state capitol and is on Prairie Public TV. I have watched a few of the interviews on YouTube and they are amazing. Life in North Dakota for these women on homesteads was something we can only imagine. https://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/order/nd_sd/womenbehindtheplow.html
Today, women and agriculture go hand in hand. Women you wouldn’t think would be part of a farm are out driving grain carts, moving semis, marketing the grain, and delivering amazing field suppers! They are advising other farmers on diseases, animals, soil health, and doing it well.
These women are going into schools teaching our next generation where their food comes from and how important it is to value it. They are fighting for land rights and against unrealistic regulations. They are bringing all kinds of people together through social media, and still working on the farm.
They are seeking training and knowledge to be leaders with strong voices. In America today, we need to be heard and speak out against all those who have a negative agenda but are good persuasive public speakers. Cute little stories don’t cut it anymore when it comes to food and how it’s produced.
Farm women share the same struggles and goals as other women. They are strong and capable, and care about the future of our world, our environment and our children. That’s why I’m encouraging you to reach out to these women. Ask them questions about farming. They are involved and know what they’re talking about. Learn about farming and ranching from them. They know how important it is to be transparent and honest about how food is raised. They’ll speak the truth.
You can help change the world today. You hold the power, right inside of you. Just reach out to us!