By Andi Anderson
As the United States enters National Women’s History Month, recognizing the influential role of women, Indiana joins the celebration by honoring the state’s 31,000 female producers and landowners who play a vital part in shaping its agricultural landscape.
According to the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service’s 2022 Farm Census, these women collectively own and/or operate 5.7 million acres of farmland in Indiana. The diversity of their contributions ranges from managing large row crop farms to cultivating small community gardens. March serves as a poignant moment to spotlight their ongoing impact and the crucial role they play in implementing conservation practices across the state.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services’ (NRCS) Indiana State Conservationist, Damarys Mortenson, expressed gratitude, saying, “Indiana is blessed to have a large number of female producers and landowners. March offers us the chance to highlight the impact they continue to have throughout the state and the role they play in putting conservation practices on the land.”
In line with this commitment, Indiana NRCS actively supports female farmers through initiatives like Women4theLand, a cooperative agreement with the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council. This program empowers women to make informed, science-based decisions about land use and management, contributing to more resilient communities and robust farm enterprises.
Inspired by the Women, Food, and Agriculture Networks' Women Caring for the Land program, Women4theLand facilitates learning circles designed to bridge gender gaps and enhance women landowners’ knowledge and confidence. These circles provide a comfortable, informal setting where participants learn from conservation professionals and each other. Covering topics like natural resource conservation, financial and technical assistance, and tenant farmer collaboration, Women4theLand has conducted over 150 learning circles in 56 counties across Indiana between 2013 and 2023.
Join the celebration throughout March as Indiana pays tribute to the incredible impacts women producers have made in the farming community. To learn more about Women’s History Month, visit Women's History Month. To discover more about Women4TheLand and participate in a learning circle, visit Women4theLand.
Photo Credit: istock-scharfsinn86
Categories: Indiana, General