More women are choosing a career in agriculture — and changing the industry from the inside

When Penny Miller was growing up on her family’s cow-calf ranch in Athabasca, Alta., she learned the ropes of running the operation at a young age. With her father and two older brothers often called away to off-ranch jobs, the responsibility of keeping the farm running fell on 10-year-old Penny and her mother. Despite her mother’s lack of experience with rural life, they both rose to the challenge.

As the number of female farm operators in 2021 rose for the first time since 1991, it became apparent that women’s participation in agriculture is on the rise. While there are more sole female operators in Alberta each year, women have always been a part of farming, albeit in informal ways. This shift is changing the industry itself, with women taking on more official roles and having their contributions recognized.

Carmen Pezderic from the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) acknowledges that women have always played a significant role in farming, even if their contributions weren’t always officially recognized. As more farms put operations and loans in women’s names, there is a growing culture of celebrating women in agriculture.

Statistics Canada reported that in 2021, there were 79,795 female farm operators, up from 77,970 in 2016. This increase is reflected in the changing landscape of family farming operations, with more women taking over as older generations age out. AFSC launched a women in agriculture award in 2022 to honor this shift and recognize the history and new frontier of women in the field.

Young Agrarians, a group that supports early career farmers, notes that over 50% of participants in their programs are women, many of whom come from non-farming backgrounds. Women like Charlotte Wasylik, who runs Chatsworth Farm with her extended family, are using social media to showcase their farm-to-table business and connect with consumers.

As women take on leadership roles in daily farm operations, marketing spaces, and new forms of agriculture, they are challenging traditional gender roles and changing societal perceptions of what a farmer looks like. While progress has been made, challenges still exist, such as biases when applying for loans or facing questions about ownership of assets.

Despite these obstacles, women like Penny Miller continue to thrive in agriculture by showcasing their skills and dedication to their craft. As the industry evolves, women are proving that they belong in agriculture and are here to stay.