Women are making their mark on the farm

Times Argus
March 16, 2008
By Mel Huff Staff Writer
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080316/NEWS02/803160428/1003/NEWS02

BERLIN – Although the number of Vermont farms has remained fairly stable over the past five years, the type of farming in Vermont is changing, says Beth Holtzman, the outreach coordinator of the Women's Agricultural Network. These changes are reflected in a growing recognition that many farmers are women and that those women will be playing an increasingly important role in Vermont's agricultural industry.

The 2002 agricultural census listed women as principal operators of more than a quarter of Vermont's 6,571 farms. More tellingly, women were listed as "operators" – essentially partners – in 53 percent of all farms. Nearly 1,200 of the 3,473 operators were younger than 45.

Farms operated by women in Vermont are smaller in acreage and sales than those operated by men; 75 percent of women farmers reported annual sales of less than $25,000. But the fastest-growing types of operations – organic and "ecologically-oriented" farms – are those in which women are most highly represented, Holtzman noted.

Vermont's women farmers "are really a diverse group," Holtzman said. "It's as diverse as the kinds of agriculture we have in the state." Women run dairy farms, raise sheep and goats, and operate Christmas tree farms and apple orchards.

Women farmers are often involved in value-added and organic agriculture, she said, and they often do direct marketing or alternative marketing. As an example she cited one woman who, with her husband and mother, raises pigs, sheep, beef, layers and broilers, vegetables and berries. The family sells at farmers' markets, a CSA and a farm stand. "More farms are looking to market products locally and directly to consumers," Holtzman said. "Farmers want to connect with consumers, connect with life in Vermont and feed their neighbors."

This kind of agriculture makes different demands on farmers than conventional farming. Selling farmstead cheese as opposed to selling fluid milk requires not only producing the milk but making the cheese, labeling it and marketing it, Holtzman noted.

In addition to juggling a variety of farming and marketing chores, women typically have other responsibilities. "Many women farmers are balancing farming with a day job, child care and caring for elders," Holtzman said.

To respond to the needs of these farm women, the University of Vermont Extension offers education and technical assistance to about 1,500 Vermonters through the Women's Agricultural Network, Holtzman said. The network also works with men, although the program is designed with the needs of women who are interested in developing farm-based businesses in mind.

The Vermont Farm Women's Fund, which co-sponsored the reception for women farmers at the Helen Day Arts Center, grew out of a recognition of the particular challenges facing women farmers. It was founded by Peter Miller, who seeded it with a donation and contributes a portion of the sales of his book "Vermont Farm Women" to the fund. His wife, Mary Miller, actively promotes the fund and according to members of the steering committee, has "energized" the organization.

The fund's steering committee of farm women decided to use the funds to enable their peers to take advantage of educational and business training. "The Vermont Farm Women's Fund is trying to provide opportunities for education and professional development that fits in the realities of these women's lives," Holtzman said. "Their farms are often small and cash-strapped, so sometimes what they need is the ability to hire someone to do the chores while they're gone."

For more information about the fund, contact Mary Peabody at 802-223-2389 x 13 or Mary.Peabody@uvm.edu.