BlueLand Farm
local, sustainable, regenerative
I’m a FarmHER!
Recently I had a friend introduce me to some new people at a party and she said “This is Meredith, she’s a farmer’s wife.” If I was a cartoon, my head would have spun around exorcist style and fire would have shot out of my eyeballs. I know that several of my contemporaries experience similar treatment. We know the things that we do to raise our families, our animals, and our crops. But to the rest of the world, we are invisible. An accessory to the Farmer; the “real” worker. I know people imagine they get up before the sun, feed the animals, do chores, hop on the tractor and do field work all day, and come in well after supper time. And while that may be true for some, there are many more women out there that not only support their husband’s work, but also do a fair bit of farm work themselves.
I’m here to tell you that I am a Farmer too, I’m a FarmHer! I wake up early (most days before Hubster) get breakfast for my boys and us, then he and I do the morning chores TOGETHER. He goes out and does field work on the tractor while I go take care of our children. We work on large and small projects around the house or barn (And I usually have a baby on my back). We put in the endless feet of fence TOGETHER. For more on the fence, check out my other two fence posts. We suffer the same disappointments and celebrate the same joys that accompany farming TOGETHER.
The US Census Bureau collects a lot of Agricultural statistics that are available here. One of the most important statistics they collect (in my opinion) is the number of farmers that are women. However, the way they count women farmers may need some updating. They count women farmers as any woman that is listed as the sole or majority operator of a farm. These women are significantly in minority accounting for less than 10% of all farmers in this country. But, I reject the idea that because I am in a partnership with a man, that he is the farmer and I am the accessory.
Hubster and I are true partners, in everything (farm work, housework, parenting, bringing home bacon, all of it). It’s truly wonderful and I am so so grateful. And if you tally up “years of experience in farming” Hubster has a few more than I do (but only a few). But especially because, without me, this farm would never have existed. My hard work, long days, blood sweat and tears, and my vision are the foundation of this farm just as much if not more than Hubster.
So I beg your pardon friend who needs some educating, while it’s true I am technically a farmer’s wife, I am also a FarmHER!!!
Are you the primary farmer in your family? Even if you contribute support, be proud! Comment below!
BlueLand Farm 