Making Farm Tools Work For Women

The number of female farmers has been steadily increasing for the past decade, as women have taken a greater role in a male-dominated industry. According to the latest USDA Agriculture Census Data, 36% of all farmers are female.

Despite that progress, women farmers still face some obstacles in the field — and I mean that literally, outside in the field. And one of those challenges is their own farm equipment. To talk more about this disparity, The 21st spoke to an agriculture reporter who has followed the story, the co-owner and manager at Spurgeon Veggies farm in Rio, IL and the co-owner of Green Heron Tools in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania.

Guests:

Dana Cronin, Agriculture Reporter with WILL, Illinois Newsroom and Harvest Public Media

Dusty Spurgeon, co-owner and manager at Spurgeon Veggies farm in Rio

Liz Brensinger, co-owner of Green Heron Tools in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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