Women in Ag Book Recommendations
Explore a variety of perspectives on agriculture through these books, covering challenges encountered by women in the field, stories of resilience and success, and valuable tips and tricks for cultivating your farm enterprise. Whether you’re an experienced farmer or just someone interested in agriculture, these reads will enrich your understanding and appreciation of the vital role female farmers play in shaping the future of agriculture. Happy reading and happy farming!
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Grace, Grit & Lipstick by Shelby Watson-Hampton
Farm women are tough, compassionate, and resourceful. At only 36% of the U.S. Farmer population, female farmers have to fight for the connection and camaraderie they deserve. Whether you're a farm mom adjusting to new routines, a city kid with big ag dreams, a horse girl, a rancher, or a farmpreneur, Grace, Grit & Lipstick welcomes you into the sisterhood of the soil.
The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristen Kimball
When Kristin Kimball left New York City to interview a dynamic young farmer named Mark, her world changed. On an impulse, she shed her city self and started a new farm with him on five hundred acres near Lake Champlain. The Dirty Life is the captivating chronicle of the couple’s first year on Essex Farm, from the cold North Country winter through their harvest-season wedding in the loft of the barn.
Temple Grandin's Guide to Working with Farm Animals
Award-winning author Temple Grandin is famous for her groundbreaking approach to decoding animal behavior. Now she extends her expert guidance to small-scale farming operations. Grandin’s fascinating explanations of how herd animals think — describing their senses, fears, instincts, and memories — and how to analyze their behavior, will help you handle your livestock more safely and effectively. You’ll learn to become a skilled observer of animal movement and behavior, and detailed illustrations will help you set up simple and efficient facilities for managing a small herd of 3 to 25 cattle or pigs, or 5 to 100 goats or sheep.
The Growing Season by Sarah Grey
The youngest of 21 children, Sarah Frey grew up on a struggling farm in Southern Illinois. At 15, she started her own fresh produce delivery business out of an old pickup truck. Two years later she took over the family farm and started doing business with the largest grocery retailers in the country. Frey’s story is one of never giving up, negotiating with some of the biggest businesses in the nation and building a company which serves consumers with fresh, healthy products.
Woman-Powered Farm by Audrey Levatino
Audrey Levatino shares her experiences of running a farm and offers invaluable advice on how to get started, whether you have hundreds of acres or a simple lot for an urban community garden. Filled with personal anecdotes and stories from other women farmers, from old hands to brand new ones, from agricultural icons like Temple Grandin, to her own sister, this book is a reassuring and inspirational guide.
The Rise of Women Farmers and Sustainable Agriculture
In this book, farm women in the northeastern United States describe how they got into farming and became successful entrepreneurs despite the barriers they encountered in agricultural institutions, farming communities, and even their own families. Their strategies for obtaining land and labor and developing successful businesses offer models for other aspiring farmers.
The Farmer's Office by Julia Shanks
Author Julia Shanks distills years of teaching and business consulting with farmers into this comprehensive, accessible guide. She covers all aspects of launching, running and growing a successful farm business through effective bookkeeping and business management, providing tools to make managerial decisions, apply for a loan or other financing, and offering general business and strategy advice for growing a business.
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1 Comment
Thank you for this list. I can’t wait to read these. Another couple of good books are A Girl and Her Dogs by Emma Gray. And This Farming Life also by Emma Gray.