Women in ag are active advocates for agriculture and successful business owners interested in filling leadership roles, according to a new Farm Bureau survey.
A majority of those surveyed, 91%, also believe there should be more women in leadership roles in the agricultural industry.
More than 3,000 women completed the informal survey online, which was conducted to determine the goals and achievements of women in agriculture.
More than 50% of women surveyed have started their own business that’s still in operation; 25% have not started a business but indicated they would like to do so in the future. Respondents cited prioritizing and finding time to accomplish tasks, acquiring financial support and marketing plan development as their top business challenges.
Respondents ranked communicating effectively, inspiring and motivating others and managing conflict among the most important leadership skills for women in agriculture.
Another topline finding of the survey was that 75% of respondents are leaders at the local level, 50% are leaders at the state level and 26% are leaders at the national level.
All women who are farmers, ranchers, farm/ranch employees, employed in agricultural businesses, pursuing ag-related higher education or supportive of agriculture in other ways were invited to participate in the survey.