March 8 is International Women’s Day, so to celebrate we’re going to talk about the fastest growing group of farmers–women! (Below, farm kid Jenna Kelsay of Kelsay Farms sweet talks a cow.)
Women, of course, have been living and working on farms for years, sometimes as the hardworking, behind-the-scenes “farm wife” and now, increasingly, more women identify as a “farmer” themselves. “Farm wives” have been milking cows, feeding calves, keeping the account books, feeding everyone, keeping the house, pinching pennies, and basically being the glue holding the family together for generations.
So check out these ladies rolling up their sleeves and getting to work!
LuAnn Troxel of Troxel Dairy Farm is the main calf feeder on her family’s farm.
Janny Kleine of Kleine Dairy Farm proves she can harvest corn #LikeAGirl.
Sam Schwoeppe of Schwoeppe Dairy Farm proves that you can be both hard core and girly.
Anita Schmitt of J & A Dairy knows how to balance career and family.
Pam Jones (bottom right) of Jones Robotic Dairy works full-time on the dairy farm with her husband Sammy.
Do you know any hardworking female farmers? Leave a comment to recognize them!
