Women In Agriculture

For the longest time, I hated the phrase “Women in Agriculture”. I hated the idea of categorizing a minority. I felt like the phrase was an excuse or a plea for attention. Growing up on a farm, with two older brothers, I was expected to do the same amount of work as any boy on the farm. It did not matter if we were bailing straw, changing boxes on the planter, or picking up rocks in the field. If my brothers could do it, I could as well. 

The expression “Women in Agriculture” never made sense to me. Why should women be told to look up to other women? Why not just look up to a man? After all, in the production agricultural industry, men dominate leadership positions. Most farmers are men. Most seed salesmen are men. Most judges at a livestock show are men. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I understood the importance of the term “Women in Agriculture”.

At my county fair that year, the beef cattle judge was a woman. A woman who spoke smoothly and confidently as she delivered reasons for a class. A woman who dressed fashionably but modestly. She was the embodiment of the perfect balance of feminine and confident.  

I knew my dream of one day judging a county fair was possible but unlikely. Seeing a woman judge my county fair made my dream seem real. It felt like an attainable reality. 

The woman who judged my county fair was Marissa Streitmatter. I am very fortunate to call Marissa a friend, mentor, and role model. As I have gotten to know her more, I admire many qualities Marissa possesses, like her talent for evaluating livestock and fitting cattle. What I admire most about her is Marissa’s ability to balance her family and professional life. Marissa is a leader and very successful in her professional life, all while being a loving mother and wife.

I realized the phrase “Women in Agriculture” is a testament that anything can become a reality. The agricultural industry is male-dominated; however, that does not mean that girls cannot hold the same positions or qualities. Women can be farmers, livestock fitters, welders, engineers, and CEO’s. When we look hard enough, we can find women who already occupy those positions.

These women are happy to mentor young ladies as they understand what it is like to feel alone in an industry they love. I challenge you to find a mentor or a mentee and break down any barriers. Women belong in agriculture.

Forever and always supporting women in agriculture,

Stephanie Berenda

Indiana FFA State Northern Region Vice President