Who's running the farm?: Changes and characteristics of Arkansas women in agriculture

Abstract

As the number of women (FARM and NON-FARM) involved in agriculture increases, the roles these women play are likely to include more responsibilities including leadership and decision making. Survey results suggest FARM women are moving into those roles. More research is needed to confirm roles of NON-FARM women. While conferences and ongoing research are working to meet the needs of these women in terms of education and networking, those needs vary from different groups of women and at different points in time. This paper presents the findings of the second phase of a study to assess the roles and needs of Arkansas women in agriculture, as well as compare the data from the previous year. Responses from the surveys show the efforts made by women to improve their own lives and that of their community by taking on new roles, seeking work off the farm to earn income and benefits for the household, and leading women's and agricultural organizations. More than half of the farm women consider themselves to be one of the main operators and would continue to run the business if something happened to their partner. Farm and non-farm women share some of the same problems in business, as well as the factors they find important to their success. However, because of their diverse backgrounds and dissimilar job responsibilities, their opinions on matters such as the importance of passing on the business to family and having employment security and the problem of keeping good employees are significantly different.