Mar. 21—Thirty years ago, job opportunities for women in agriculture were limited mainly to support roles — traditional duties that helped back up the men, who were usually in charge both on and off the field.
Much has changed in the past few decades and today more women than ever are taking leadership responsibilities on the farm and in agriculture-related businesses.
“I think more women are getting into agriculture roles out of college and there’s a lot more ag-based opportunities out there for women,” said Trudi Allenbach, grain division manager for the Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative based in Colfax.
“I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and the opportunities that we have now have exponentially increased,” Allenbach said. “I look at the roles I’ve had in the ag industry over the last 30 years and watched some of those ag-based farm jobs that have a big influence on women. There are so many fields of agriculture, such as accounting or agronomy, that are huge and diverse. There are a lot of areas that are producing food and whether it’s marketing, growing it, tilling it … there are just more jobs available.”
In an effort to highlight women’s continuing and growing role in producing the world’s food supply, the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The resolution was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and garnered more than 100 co-sponsors, underscoring the global importance of uplifting women throughout the agriculture sector.
The worldwide observance will call attention to the role that women play in global food and agricultural production and will help raise awareness of the challenges women in agriculture face, including gender equity, food security and poverty.
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According to the UN, women are responsible for about half of the world’s food production and in many countries they produce between 60% and 80% of the food.
A National Agriculture Statistics Service report in 2022 said family farms comprise 95% of all farms in the U.S. Compared to producers on mid-size and large-scale family farms, small family farm producers are more likely to be women, age 65 or older and living on the farm operation. They were also more likely to report having served in the military or work off the farm and having farmed 10 years or less.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in 2022 that there were 1.2 million women farmers, about 36% of the country’s producers. Women contribute to agriculture through production, advocacy, education and entrepreneurship, while strengthening rural communities through leadership and outreach.
In Idaho, about 30% of family farms are headed by women, according to the agriculture service. In Washington, about 25% of family farms are managed by women.
Laurie Roecks has been farming in the Rosalia area with her husband, Scott, since 1998. They grow wheat, small and large chickpeas, lentils, green peas, malt barley and have a 600-plant U-pick blueberry patch. The Roecks also have a small cow-calf operation.
Their roles in the enterprise, she said, are distinctly different but fit together well.
“He is the mechanic and the key field operator; I am the grain merchandiser, the accountant and I also drive tractor and truck,” Roecks said. For the most part, she added, she has had few problems being accepted in her managerial role.
“I am the one who goes to the bank but I’ve not had any difficulty (getting credit). I think sometimes some of the gentlemen maybe don’t take me seriously, but every farmer is different. My husband is inclined to say, ‘She runs the show,’ so anybody that knows us, knows that. We complement each other well.”
Roecks said she loves her career choice, in spite of the difficulties facing farmers today.
“I guess it’s the freedom, although we have less and less freedom (with all the regulations governing food production). I think the regulations are OK — you want safe food. I just wish Americans would realize that our food is safer than other places. It’s just that our break-even point is so thin we have to put so many more hours in and it’s hard to make a living.”
Audra Cochran grew up on a ranch in the Clearwater region, is married to a rancher and runs the ranch with her husband, parents and son.
Cochran also is the University of Idaho Clearwater County Extension Educator. Her many hats keep her hopping and, although she feels fortunate to be in the position she’s in, “some days are better than others.”
“It takes all of us to make it happen and we all have day jobs off the ranch,” she said. “I think it’s that combination of working closely with each other and knowing what makes it successful (along with) a day job income, the combination of both that helps make it functional.”
Growing up in Clearwater County, Cochran said, she was fortunate to have many mentors who encouraged her to pursue a career in agriculture.
Until recent federal funding cutbacks, there was more emphasis at the national level for women farmers and other special needs groups, she said. Even so, “more women are taking a more active role in the driver’s seat of farming and ranching, where before it was men. Now we’re seeing more and more women taking on those roles and kind of running with it.
“It’s an exciting time to be in agriculture but it’s important to learn from history and learn innovations,” Cochran said. “I think it’s just a flip in the narrative. The opportunities have presented themselves … and I think people are starting to talk about it more and recognize that women can play an active role outside of the home.”
Hedberg may be contacted at khedberg@lmtribune.com.
