Transcript Women in Agriculture Programming Efforts in West Virginia

Women in Agriculture Programming
Efforts in West Virginia
Brandy Brabham, Extension Agent, Extension Instructor, West Virginia University Extension Service
Jodi Richmond, Extension Agent, Extension Assistant Professor, West Virginia University Extension Service
Jennifer Williams, Program Director, Extension Associate Professor, West Virginia University Extension Service
Where We’ve Been
Where We Are
Where We Are Going
*
West Virginia County Agents Survey Results
In 2010, we conducted a survey of West Virginia University Extension Agents that are
responsible for Agriculture and Natural Resources Programming in each of the 55
Counties in West Virginia to determine the current level of Women in Agriculture (WIA)
programming, previous efforts, topics of most interest to women in their areas and
opportunities for potential growth for women in agriculture. There was a 47%
response rate for our survey. Of those that responded, 57% was men and 43% were
men. Forty-six percent had over 10 years of experience, 8% had between 5 and 10
years of experience, and 46% had 5 years or less experience in Extension. Sixty-eight
percent of the respondents said that they had seen an increased interest in agriculturerelated topics from women over the last five years in their county or region, 20% said
they had not seen an increase, and 12% were not sure. As of February 2010,
respondents reported four WIA events planned for 2010 across West Virginia, which
shows the trend of planned WIA events continuing in West Virginia.
The chart below shows the areas for potential growth for women in agriculture in West
Virginia including value added products, direct marketing, local food production,
specialty crop production and livestock production. The top other agricultural
production and marketing opportunities for women in agriculture in West Virginia and
the most common areas of interest for women involved in agriculture in West Virginia
are also identified below.
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
WV Farms with Women as Principal
Operators by Value of Sales*
WIA Events in West Virginia from
2005-2009
less than $1,000
1000-$2,499
67
$2,500-$4,999
$5,000-$9,999
24
4
3
2005
2006
2007
22
2008
2009
Historic Perspective of Women in Agriculture in West Virginia
West Virginia women have always played an important role in sustaining a strong food
system. Husbands and wives on West Virginia farms have maintained a close
partnership and shared responsibilities for the farm throughout the years. However,
women’s roles have evolved over the years. Historically, and in some cases as few as
one generation removed, the women were the managers of the household, where
meals were prepared and the children were raised. In addition to these
responsibilities, women also were in charge of light agricultural duties such as
managing the dairy and poultry operations—milking, gathering eggs and making butter
and cheese. They were also in charge of disposing of any surplus through trade or
commerce. As a part of the female revolution, women's roles became that of the
bookkeeper and the financial manager. Today, they are not only full working partners
in farm operations, but also increasingly owner operators. As women’s roles in
agriculture have evolved, the differences in farming characteristics of women and their
male counterparts have begun to be documented by the US Census of Agriculture.
25
20
15
10
5
0
Unlikely
$10,000-$49,999
Somewhat Likely
$50,000 or more
Likely
Item
Men
Women
Average Age
58.1
58.3
Acres Operated
157
118
Top 3 Types of Operations
Differences in
Operation
Characteristics
between Men
& Women*
Areas for Potential Growth
1.Beef Cattle
1. Other Crops
2.Other Crops
2. Other Animals
3. Oil & Grain
Seeds
3. Sheep & Goats
Top Other Agricultural Production
and Marketing Opportunities
Specialty Livestock Production
Organic Production
Equine Management
Common Areas of Interest
for WV Women in Agriculture
Horticulture (gardening, specialty crops, flowers, etc)
Small Ruminant Production
Farm & Financial Management
* Source: 2007 US Census of Agriculture