Owning a farm is a challenging occupation that presents considerable mental health issues. The specific stresses inherent in the profession, paired with significant obstacles in mental health care, impact farmers nationwide.

New findings from the University of Georgia College of Public Health illuminate the pressures experienced by female farm owners and managers — challenges that often go unnoticed in broader examinations of agricultural wellness.

In a series of interviews, investigators uncovered vital stressors affecting this demographic, such as animal deaths, farm succession planning, and the influence of gender roles and stereotypes.

“Physically, you’re anxious about injuries and health issues, all those conventional stressors that farmers encounter,” stated Christina Proctor, the principal author and associate professor of health promotion and behavior. “However, women in these leadership positions are also contemplating, ‘How should I behave so that the men in this field regard me and view me as their leader or boss?’”

Animal loss and succession planning at the forefront

A significant finding from the research was the emotional burden of losing animals. This concern was less frequently expressed by male farmers, Proctor noted.

“Female farmers felt considerable anxiety regarding how individuals outside the farming community perceived their bond with their animals,” Proctor mentioned. “They expressed, ‘Although these are our animals, we believe we are their guardians and must protect them.’ Losing one is immensely difficult.”

The stress linked to animal welfare may intensify during outbreaks of animal illness, a crucial factor given the recent reports about the rise of bird flu in the U.S.

Proctor observed that while both male and female farmers discussed operational stability in interviews, female farmers pinpointed succession planning as a primary source of anxiety, as women encounter more obstacles when transitioning into ownership.

Views varied among farmers. First-generation farmers were focused on putting in the effort to build the farm and wished for someone to uphold that tradition. Meanwhile, some fifth-generation farmers were anxious about being labeled “the woman who loses the farm,” according to Proctor.

Gender inequalities and stereotypes introduce additional stress

The research also discovered that female farmers contend with widespread gender imbalances in agriculture. Many feel compelled to validate themselves while balancing the expectation to be both authoritative leaders and nurturing caregivers. Some adopt more traditionally masculine characteristics to earn respect, which often results in inner conflict.

“The clash between the necessity of working extended hours to maintain the farm and the expectation to manage household tasks and childcare responsibilities was a significant stressor for many of the women we interviewed,” remarked study co-author and doctoral student Noah Hopkins.

“While conducting the interviews, I was astounded by the women and their daily responsibilities. Simply being a female farmer is commendable,” Proctor exclaimed, “but navigating the cultural complexities of functioning in a male-dominated industry presents its own set of challenges.”

One participant mentioned that when individuals see her on the farm or in her office, they inquire about “the bossman” and presume she is not the one in charge. Even when they hold the primary decision-making power, male relatives are frequently addressed first.

Fostering community and resources

Collecting information is a crucial step toward discovering effective methods to assist female farmers.

“Farmers are often very isolated,” Proctor remarked. “If you’re the only woman across four counties, how can we connect you with other women in similar situations? It begins with more peer-to-peer initiatives and creating spaces for female agricultural leaders to gather and discuss these matters.”

Such modifications can enhance agriculture overall, Proctor stated. Female farmers generally embrace communal leadership, show empathy towards workers, and collaborate effectively. These farms are more inclined to adopt sustainable practices concerning work/life balance and community development, and research has indicated that this approach can improve poverty rates in the communities where it is applied.

“I believe the farming and agricultural sector will experience substantial benefits from increased female leadership,” Proctor affirmed. “Currently, if women find it exceedingly challenging to operate in this field, we must ask ourselves, ‘How do we design programs or initiatives that make more women feel at ease in these environments and represented in agricultural gatherings, commodity discussions, and beyond?’”

The study was also co-authored by master’s student Chase Reece and Lauren Ledbetter Griffeth, a UGA Cooperative Extension leadership specialist.

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