🌾 Farming as a Female in Today’s World: Breaking Barriers and Owning Your Space

Farming as a woman in today’s society is… well, let’s just say it’s an adventure filled with challenges, triumphs, and a fair share of raised eyebrows. It’s rewarding, humbling, and sometimes downright wild.

I grew up on a farm surrounded by cows and horses. Animals were my world—I knew them better than I knew people. That upbringing shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until later in life. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve returned to those roots: raising animals and growing our own food. It’s not just a lifestyle—it’s a calling.

👩‍🌾 The Reality of Farming as a Woman

Here’s the truth: every once in a while, I run into someone who thinks they know more than anyone else. Lately, it’s been happening more often than not. And, honestly, it’s almost always the same pattern: older men who assume I don’t know what I’m doing, or older women who think I shouldn’t be doing it at all.

It’s frustrating, not because I think I know everything—I don’t—but because assumptions are made before anyone even asks a question. Farming is hard work, and it doesn’t care about your gender. The soil doesn’t care. The animals don’t care. The weather certainly doesn’t care. So why do people?

💪 What I’ve Learned Along the Way

Let me be clear: I am no expert, nor do I claim to be. Farming is a lifelong learning process, and anyone who tells you they know it all is kidding themselves. But I’ve raised livestock from the smallest creatures to the largest. Right now, our farm focuses on small livestock—but that’s just for now. Eventually, we’ll add bigger animals to the mix.

Here’s what frustrates me: just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m doing. My gender doesn’t define my ability to farm. My age doesn’t define it. The size of my farm doesn’t define it. None of those things should give anyone the right to assume what I can or cannot do.

🛠 A Day in My Boots

My husband will be the first to tell you—I take care of everything on our farm. From putting up fencing to feeding the animals, I’m the one doing it. I’m out there in the mud, the rain, and the heat making sure everything runs smoothly.

I’ve learned how to repair equipment, manage feed schedules, and handle emergencies when they arise. Farming isn’t glamorous—it’s gritty, exhausting, and sometimes heartbreaking. But it’s also beautiful, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding.

Whether you have a 100-acre farm or a tiny hobby farm, the principle is the same: don’t let anyone tell you you’re doing it wrong. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to farming. Every farm is unique, every farmer has their own methods, and that’s okay.

🌟 My Message to Other Women in Agriculture

If you’re a woman in farming—or thinking about starting—here’s my advice:

• Don’t let stereotypes stop you. People will doubt you. Let them.

• Learn as you go. Farming is a journey, not a destination.

• Stand your ground. You know your farm better than anyone else.

• Celebrate your wins. Every fence you build, every animal you raise, every crop you harvest—it matters.

Farming is hard work, but it’s worth it. It’s about resilience, creativity, and passion. And those qualities have nothing to do with gender.

💬 Let’s Talk About It

Have you experienced something similar? Do people underestimate you because of your gender, age, or farm size? Share your thoughts —I’d love to hear your stories.

Together, we can change the narrative. Farming isn’t just for men. It’s for anyone willing to put in the work, learn, and love the land.