OTTAWA, Ohio — Although women have always been involved in farming, it has long been thought of as a ‘man’s job’. Traditionally, farm women have often identified themselves as something other than the “farmer.”

That’s all changing. According to the USDA, over the past 10 years the number of women who identified themselves as farmers increased by 19 percent, and the number of women ‘principal operators’ increased by 30 percent.  

Women are a fast-growing demographic in American agriculture, and they are doing things differently. While the average farm size in the U.S. has grown dramatically over the last 50 years, women tend to run smaller operations. Many choose organic and natural methods, in contrast to the highly mechanized and chemically-dependent farming that dominates the rest of the agricultural industry.

Ohio alone has 13.6 million acres of farmland that is owned, operated or leased by women. Ag experts have found that many women struggle a bit when it comes to leasing the farm property. To assist them better navigate farmland leasing issues, Ohio State University Extension has developed a “Ladies on the Land” workshop in cooperation with USDA’s North Central Risk Management Education Center.

Each Ladies on the Land workshop addresses the educational needs of women involved in all stages and aspects of Ohio agriculture, from non-operating landowners to producers and tenant farmers.

”If the husband is deceased and the farm isn’t farmed by another family member a lot of times the ladies of the farm are facing a leasing issue,” says Beth Scheckelhoff, Ohio State Extension educator from Putnam County. Scheckelhoff specializes in farm management, ag health and safety, and women’s issues in agriculture. “With the Ladies on the Land gatherings the participant will leave with a much better understanding of management strategies to minimize their risk in leasing farmland in Ohio. 

“For a lot of women, they have no idea what they’re getting into, especially when it comes to dealing with a tenant farmer,” Scheckelhoff adds. “There’s a lot that women need to pay attention to, making sure all their bases are covered, and understanding the basic requirements of a lease is important.”

The workshop starts Jan. 27 in Medina County and will be held on three more dates at different locations, the last gathering to be held March 3 in Putnam County.

“The next most important thing for them is coming up with a rent for the property that is fair to them and for the farmer,” she said.

Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, Ladies on the Land workshops aim to increase confidence, improve communication skills, and provide helpful resources for all women involved in agriculture. Topics covered include enhancing communication skills, developing equitable rental rates, farmland leasing best practices and accessing the risk-reward continuum for tenants and landowners. At the conclusion of each session, experts will provide answers to concerns attendees might have.

According to Scheckelhoff, the number of participants in this annual program has remained steady the past four years. “The goal of these workshops is to make communicating and negotiating with tenants much easier,” Scheckelhoff said.

The first workshop will be held Jan. 26 in Medina County (330-725-4911). Other workshops will be held Feb. 15 in Ross County (740-702-3200), Feb. 24 in Morrow County (419-947-1070), and March 3 in Putnam County (419-523-6294).

The $25 registration fee includes snacks, a boxed lunch and all materials.  

For more information and to make reservations contact Beth Scheckelhoff at 419-523-6294. Register online at http://go.osu.edu/ladiesontheland.