Arkansas’ Women in Agriculture: Changing Challenges and Growing Opportunities

Jennie PoppCenter for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability

Division of AgricultureUniversity of Arkansas

National Women in Agriculture ConferenceApril 1-2, 2008

Oklahoma City, OK

Background

Characteristics of Arkansas’ Women in Agriculture Women’s roles on the farm are increasing in numbers and in

responsibilities Women are 28.6% of Arkansas farm operators 25% of these women are principal operators Their numbers are increasing every yearSource: USDA 2002 Census of Agriculture

Farm women are also increasingly working off of the farm Nationally, 30% of farm women worked off farm in 1969; by 2002, 47% of

them nationally worked off farm By 2002 that number in Arkansas was 46% Sources: The Invisible Farmers: Women in Agricultural Production by Carolyn Sachs, USDA 2002 Census of Agriculture

Women hold many roles in agriculture off farm Working in agricultural support industries Working in rural and community development organizationsSources: The Entrepreneurial Characteristics of Farm Women by B. Tanner, Women and Farming: Changing Roles,

Changing Structures by W. Haney and J. Knowles

Why the Changes? Similar to reasons why women all around the nation are

becoming more involved in agriculture, by: Inheritance Divorce Illness CHOICE

Nationally, agriculture-related degrees given to females - more than doubled from 1993 to 2000, Source: USDA REEIS Total FAEIS Degrees Awarded by Classification of Instructional Program and Gender

Between 1997 and 2005, the agriculturally related degrees (ignoring HESC) earned by women increased 52% Sources University of Arkansas Institutional Research

In Arkansas and elsewhere, agriculturally related education programs are acknowledging this fast growing clientele.

Education Programs for Women in Agriculture Prerequisites to effective education programs – understandings

of the knowledge the needs and the experience of the education program participants.

In Arkansas, educational program development included taking assessments of participants of the 2005-2007 Arkansas Women in Agriculture conferences

Surveys were used to identify recent changes in their roles on and off the farm, the challenges they face in their businesses and factors important to achieving success, as they define it

This is the first such data set on agricultural women in Arkansas

Objectives Provide selected summary results from

these surveys

Test for differences in survey responses between types of agricultural women and across years.

Identify educational needs and opportunities for a growing clientele of agricultural women

Methods

Methods The 752 female participants of the 2005-2007 Arkansas Women in

Agriculture Conferences were asked to complete a survey*

The response rates were 55% (147 of 269) in 2005 36% (108 of 300) in 2006, and 49% (89 of 183) in 2007

Respondents placed into two groups Agriculture business owners (ABOs) – women who owned or jointly operated

a farm, ranch or agriculturally-related business (ag banks, input suppliers, vet medicine, ag organizations, etc)

Agriculture business employees (ABEs) – women who were employees of farms/ranch and agriculturally-related businesses

*2008 conference participants recently surveyed but data not yet analyzed

Methods Survey questions related to

their type of business, their role in the business and how changes in that role impacted various aspects of their home and

business how important certain factors are to their career success, the challenges they face

Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to test for significant differences (p=0.10) in responses across years and between ABO and ABE groups

Follow up focus groups used to explain responses (13 conducted over three year period, each group averaged 10 people, 6 of whom had completed surveys)

Selected results follow

Results

Characteristics of Survey Respondents 2005-2007

Of the 344 survey respondents, 210 were ABOs. 16% considered themselves principal operators. 33% believed they had a greater role in the

business today than they did three years ago. 72% would probably or definitely continue to run the

business if something happen to their business or domestic partner.

Characteristics of Survey Respondents 2005-2007

The remaining 134 women were ABEs working for: Lending institutions Input suppliers Farm organizations Educational institutions (and their work was

agricultural – related)

Which Factors are Important in Measuring Your Success?11 Options I can talents and skills directly I feel secure in my employment I can make key decisions I can meet current financial needs I can try new ways of doing things I can participate in environmental conservation programs (ag

and non-ag) I am excited about my work I have flexible work hours I can balance my work and free time I can be involved in my community I improve my standard of

living I can pass on the business to a family member I can provide jobs for my community

Factors2005 2006 2007

ABO ABE Pr ABO ABE Pr ABO ABE Pr

apply talents and skills 87.4 97.8 0.0451 87.7 94.1 0.2727 78.6 100. 0.0376

secure in my employment 67.9 88.6 0.1318 72.3 94.1 0.0452 78.6 91.3 0.1565

try new ways 81.2 91.1 0.3663 81.0 97.0 0.1324 65.9 90.9 0.0348

excited about work 86.2 89.1 0.0376 84.1 87.9 0.8525 80.5 82.6 0.9800

flexible work hours 82.8 80.9 0.4794 69.8 56.3 0.0694 68.3 56.5 0.6481

improve standard of living 77.4 91.3 0.3766 73.0 78.8 0.8190 65.9 95.5 0.0022

pass on the business 79.3 18.6<0.000

165.6 16.1 <0.0001 63.4 25.0 0.0233

provide jobs 58.8 27.9 0.0094 50.0 42.4 0.5489 42.5 27.3 0.5484

Higher percentage of ABEs measure success by black factorsHigher percentage of ABOs measure success by red factorsOpnions of ABOs and ABEs are different for results in blue

Which areas represent challenges for you in your business?

13 options Networking with others Finding good information about BMPs for my business Finding information about government programs related to my work Qualifying for government programs related to my business Knowing where/how to market my products Keeping up with environmental regulations regarding my business Keeping financial records Finding/affording a good lawyer Keeping good employees Handling my cash flow Gaining access to credit Completing loan forms and other important paperwork Being respected as a female business person

Factors2005 2006 2007

ABO ABE Pr ABO ABE Pr ABO ABE Pr

Info about govt programs 37.4 17.2 0.0452 32.2 22.7 0.7821 30.0 22.7 0.4313

qualifying for govt program 33.7 17.9 0.0039 40.7 23.8 0.0423 41.0 21.1 0.3361

marketing products 30.6 14.3 0.2945 28.8 13.6 0.0691 25.6 20.0 0.9570

environmental regulations 40.0 25.0 0.3976 33.9 14.3 0.1778 25.0 30.0 0.7504

keeping financial records 41.4 14.8 0.1614 33.9 17.4 0.0558 25.0 40.0 0.4705

finding/keeping a lawyer 42.4 29.6 0.1940 34.5 22.7 0.3942 35.0 15.8 0.2637

keeping good employees 48.8 25.0 0.0374 51.7 13.6 0.0184 43.6 35.0 0.0708

being respected 41.2 37.9 0.4902 39.0 36.4 0.2428 32.5 47.6 0.7546

Higher percentage of ABOs have problems all factors aboveOpinions of ABOs and ABEs are different for results in blue

Relatively small percentage of women overall have problems in these areasBeing respected as a female business person is one of the most often reported problems

Differences Across Time

Results were tested for significant differences across time

Few significant differences emerged The percentage of ABOs that had problems keeping financial

records and being respected both fell between 2005 and 2007 The percentage of ABEs that agreed meeting current financial

needs was important increased over time Across all respondents, the importance of having flexible work

hours decreased over time

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

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Keeping financial records(ABOs problems)

Being respected as afemale business person

(ABOs problems)

Meeting current financialneeds (ABEs

important factors)

Having flexible work hours(All women- important

factors)

Factors different across years

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Explaining the Results

Explaining the Results Arkansas’ Agricultural Women are

Motivated ABOs have confidence through

education and experience to lead agricultural operations on and off the farm

Many ABEs expect to become leaders in their respective farm and non-farm agricultural operations in the future

Explaining the Results Arkansas’ Agricultural Women are

Community Minded Many ABOs put community before profit;

business driven by desire to provide community jobs and agricultural experiences for youth

Nearly 70% of respondents were members of at least one community organization and provided their ag-related expertise to community on a volunteer basis

Explaining the Results Arkansas’ Agricultural Women Can Work in

Traditional Man’s World Business culture is changing

Agribusinesses (particularly lenders and equipment dealers) more comfortable working with ABOs

In part this is because more women are the agribusiness personnel dealers

Networks for ABOs and ABEs emerging However, not all areas of agriculture are transforming

at the same rate

Explaining the Results Arkansas’ Agricultural Women Want

Agricultural- Related Business Assistance Demand Annie’s Project in State

First three classes will complete the course by May 2008

Demand Active Educational Program Efforts led by Arkansas Women in Agriculture,

Inc. and assisted by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

Conclusions Women’s Roles include more responsibilities including

leadership and decision-making

Data suggests that needs vary from different groups of women at different points in time

ABOs and ABEs share some problems in business, as well as factors important to them, but also differ because of backgrounds

Further research on women in agriculture is needed, especially at different times, to explore, more in depth, their needs and roles

What’s Next We’ve only just begun!

Expanded efforts on Arkansas’ Women in Agriculture research Comprehensive cataloging of research on women in agriculture

around the nation Identification of womens’ needs, challenges and opportunities

nationwide that will drive research and education programs into the future

Acknowledgements

A special thank you goes to Ms. Carmen Albright, 2007 University of Arkansas graduate who conducted much of the analysis as her undergraduate thesis research.

Thank You

For more information, contact:Jennie Popp

University of Arkansas217 Agriculture BuildingFayetteville, AR 72701

(479)575-2279jhpopp@uark.edu