Title

Southern Women in Agriculture

Relevance

Animal agriculture, specifically cattle production, is a male-dominated industry. According to statistics from a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor report, 76 percent of those who identified as farmers or ranchers were male. It is not from lack of skill that women are not more prevalent in the industry – but perhaps lack of confidence.

Response

Six female agricultural agents within UGA Extension originally collaborated to develop Southern Women in Agriculture Workshops (SWAG) in 2016. While the workshops were discontinued in 2020 due to COVID-19, this workshop was brought back by popular demand in 2023. These trainings are designed to give females interested or involved in agriculture an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in livestock production. Three 1-day workshops have been held; one in Athens, GA at the UGA Livestock Instructional Arena, one in Calhoun, GA at the Northwest Georgia Livestock Pavilion and one at the UGA Experiment Station in Irwinville, GA. Two 2-day trainings were held in addition, one in Tifton and one in Athens. In August of 2023, the team produced the first training since 2020. This one day training was held in the Oglethorpe County Extension office. During the workshop participants rotated to six sessions including forages, tractors, trucks and trailers, cattle handling, and chute-side animal health. Each session was planned and taught by female UGA Extension agents from all over Georgia. Participation in the workshop was limited to maintain a small group size and to encourage participants to actively engage and gain hands-on experience.

Results

Twenty-three women representing 12 counties in Georgia and South Carolina attended the Oglethorpe County workshop. Over 120 participants from four states have attended a SWAG workshop in the last seven years. Results of a six-month follow-up evaluation sent to participants of each workshop indicated that 95 percent of respondents have utilized techniques/skills learned at the training in their personal/family agricultural operations. All respondents reported having shared knowledge gained at the workshop with either a family member or friend. Eighty percent replied that the training had resulted in their increased involvement in their personal/family agricultural operation thereby reducing the need for hired labor.

Public Value Statement

The success of this course has been noticed by those in other states as well. Extension agents in Alabama and in Virginia have contacted the Georgia instructors for their curriculum as well as with questions. In addition, an agricultural women’s group in Idaho obtained a grant to bring the UGA Extension instructors up to teach a class for them in 2024.

Primary Focus Area

Agricultural Systems

Secondary Focus Area

Youth, Family, & Communities

Impact Statement