Why Women in Agriculture?

We're all in this together...

At nearly one million strong, women make up almost one-third of our nation's farmers.  (Just 14% of farms have a woman as the principal operator according to 2012 USDA data.)  In RI, women make up 38% of farmers. 

There are groups dedicated to Young Farmers; they invite not only the young to attend, but the young at heart, or those "young" at farming.  Other specific agricultural groups devote their primary focus to livestock, urban agriculture or organic farming, but welcome folks from all areas to learn with them.  Rhode Island Women in Agriculture seeks to provide educational and building opportunities for women in agricultural industries.  We are building a place where we can learn from each other, teach one another, and inspire all.  Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings and conferences to learn with us, and help support Women in Agriculture.

2018 Conference Planning

Planning is Happening NOW!

Our next pre-planning meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 9th at 4:30 p.m. It will be held in the USDA FSA Conference Room on 60 Quaker lane, Warwick RI. Fourth floor, Suite 62.  Anyone interested in being a part of the planning process is welcome to attend. 

If you are interested in helping to plan the next conference for Spring of 2018, please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.

Past Conferences

Previous Topics at Women in Ag

Our four previous RI Women in Ag conferences have included panels on: Beginning Farmers, Marketing 101, Grant and Loan Opportunities, Challenges for Women in a Man's Workplace, Livestock Management, Safety Rules for Transporting Animals, GAP-Food Safety and HACCP Plans, Soil Health and Composting, Marketing: What works and What Doesn't, and many other relevant topics.  We have also been lucky to have a number of leading women, both locally and nationally, speak in front of our conference attendees.