Women in Agriculture

Breanna Ameigh, BCCD, Event Coordinator  
Bradford County and the surrounding region have been filled with agricultural practices of all shapes and sizes since its beginning. You likely couldn’t travel for five miles in any direction without seeing some type of farm – beef, sheep, vegetables, flowers, etc. The men and women of the industry make up the backbone of this area. As a generally male dominated field (literally), women are often not thought of as often as playing an integral role. However, according to the USDA, women make up approximately 36% of the producers of the United States. Bradford County, specifically, has around 55-59% of its farms having at least one female producer. 

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In an effort to support and gather this group of women associated with agriculture of the area, we, at the Bradford County Conservation District will be hosting our annual Women in Agriculture event on April 4, 2025 from 9:00 – 2:00 at the Wysox Fire Hall. This event will feature some of the county’s favorite women in the industry to speak on their work. There will also be a catered lunch and a craft with Kay’s Creations. This is a free event, but registration is required at our website by March 28, 2025. Spots may fill up quickly.  

            Our incredible speakers include: Amanda Miller – Sugar Branch Farms, Jenna Ashby – Blue Bird Farms and Food Truck, Liz Owen – Growen Food, Heather Edwards – Edwards Family Homestead, and the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners. Each of these speakers will discuss their businesses and answer questions. There will also be vendors with valuable information and programs including Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and more. This event is open to anyone with interest in any part of the industry whether it is a large-scale beef operation or a small garden in your back yard. This is an informative event where everyone will leave knowing more than when they arrived.

            Events such as these are important in encouraging women to either continue their work in agriculture or inspire and educate those around us who might be interested but aren’t sure how to start. We aim to provide connections, information, and support to strengthen and grow our industry. The day will be filled with conversations, stories, informative talks, good food, crafts, and fun. We hope to see you there! If you are interested in having a vendor table this year or speaking at future events, please reach out to our office.

The Bradford County Conservation District is committed to helping people manage resources wisely. You can visit the Bradford County Conservation District at 200 Lake Rd in Wysox across from the Wysox Fire Hall. Contact us at (570) 485-3144 or visit our web page at www.bccdpa.com.