Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLFemale Farmer Shock
It never ceases to amaze me that people are surprised that I raise livestock. Why is that such a shock? While it’s true that I usually leave the manure covered Carhart’s and farm boots at home, the disbelief when I tell people I farm seems a bit extreme. Whenever we mention farming, people immediately look to my husband which is humorous as he’s a big city boy who loves the animals – from a distance. I’m the one in the dirt, hauling the hay and manure.
If you’re a woman who’d like to get back to nature, I recommend taking up goat tending. Goats lend themselves well to women who are interested in Ag. They’re small, pretty easily handled and manueverable, and their largely self-sufficient nature is well suited to women who have other responsibilities to contend with. It’s rough to wrangle a 1,000 lb steer; not so tough to haul a 100 lb goat in the barn.
But a word of caution: just as folks are surprised that I farm, disreputable people may try to take advantage of the fact of femaleness. Do your homework before you go goat shopping. Learn all you can about the breed and market you plan to operate in.
Read up on potential medical issues so if you need to fix something, you’ll have a good basis for tracking down what you need. Don’t rely on others to provide you all the information you need because if you live in one of those communities where they prefer that men do the “man’s work,” you’ll need to be prepared to step up with some knowledge and earn respect early.
I love livestock. I can’t imagine not raising my goats, Dexter cattle and poultry, but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming and it does get tedious running into the guys who think I have no business being in ag and the folks who think I’m nuts for even trying. It’s almost worth the stunned disbelief when I show up at the local coffee klatch dressed in my coveralls and boots though.
I have the same problem, but with the added problem of my dad, who lives with me (he’s a retired carpenter, who has never looked after an animal in his life) As with you people automatically talk to him, but instead of telling them i’m the farmer, he tells them that he has to let me makeout i’m the farmer ’cause i won’t shutup otherwise! They beleive him and they can get quite nasty, as they are not having some stupid woman making out she’s a farmer! Dad thinks it’s all very funny.
I think Dad needs an education on not making your life any more complicated than it already is. It’s damned difficult enough to deal with some people without them assuming you’re a high falutin’ female. You can tell him I said so.