We have a big garden, a few acres of brome hay, one heifer, two steers and a barn full of cats. I wish I could say that was enough to make me a farmer, but it doesn’t. I just tell people we pretend to farm.
In fact, I think there are a lot of pretend farmers out there like me. They like to be outside, produce fresh food, and have a few animals to tend to. It’s a good life, fulfilling in many ways. I like it because it gives me a reason to be outside and gives responsibility to our girls. They have learned about hard work, life and loss.
My husband and I both have careers in agriculture but our main income is not from production agriculture. Farmers make up less than two percent of the population. Two percent grows enough to feed seven billion mouths. Part of my responsibility as a blogger and agriculture advocate is to let people know that without fertilizer we cannot keep up the nutrient demand of food production. Fertilizer helps that one percent of the population to produce healthy nutritious foods that line the grocery stores. I want the agriculture industry to continue to move forward so that my girls can work in this amazing industry too. Even though I am not a farmer, doesn’t mean they can’t be some day.
Farming has a reputation for being a man’s business, but times are changing. According to the USDA, the number of farms in the U.S. operated by women has nearly tripled in the last 30 years. With a slight change in the demographics, there are resources for women in agriculture to connect. If you are looking for ways to connect with women in agriculture, check out my new favorite site: PinkTractor.com! They like gardening too and will be featuring some of my garden posts.
Check it out: Pinktractor.com! See what they have to offer you.
Farm Strong
PinkTractor.com offers tools for women in agriculture to farm strong. The site features market information, equipment explanations tailor-made for women, succession planning, tools to tell your agriculture story and farm safety tips. Research shows that women are seeking information to help them be better farmers. The Equipment Smarts portion of the site features a pictorial glossary and a searchable (and sometimes quirky) database. Another section, Farming Smarts, includes video blogs to help operate an agricultural business, weekly market updates and stories about amazing women in agriculture. The Farm Girl Shop on PinkTractor.com features attire, accessories and other unique products to help women on all types of farms.
Woman Smart
Being a woman in agriculture isn’t always easy. PinkTractor.com is a place where women can share ideas and utilize resources to help them in their lives, on and off the farm. The Farm Girl Family section of the website provides tips on recipes, crafts, farmers markets, and being a mom. PinkTractor.com is a place for women to share their farm story – a story that isn’t just about men on the farm. PinkTractor.com is focused on helping solve problems unique to women dealing with mechanical issues, raising a family, planting and harvest challenges, cooking and operating a business. Pink Tractor wants to help farm gals to be confident and to give them the tools they need to succeed!
At PinkTractor.com, we believe in you as women in ag and we know you are changing the face of ag and changing the world!
Want to learn more? Visit PinkTractor.com or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!
PinkTractor.com is bringing PINK to the farm with all things for women in agriculture. Visit us for equipment smarts, tips on succession, ideas on sharing your farm story, market information, family fun, recipes, farm safety and more. PinkTractor.com. Farm Strong. Woman Smart.
