“Farming is hard, which is why women are naturally fit for it. It’s an intuitive art in many ways, and requires patience, persistence, and a level of care and connection that women naturally exude.“

Q: Tell us about your agricultural operation, your background and how you got started in agriculture. 

Honey Moon Farm, LLC is a small 3-acre diversified vegetable farm. We also grow fruit, berries, herbs, and flowers, and produce honey and eggs. I am a first generation farmer and started the farm in 2017. I apprenticed on an organic vegetable farm in Massachusetts in 2009, and worked in the government and nonprofit sectors supporting farmers for almost a decade until I was able to purchase land to start my own farm.

Q: What does working in agriculture, and specifically being a woman in agriculture, mean to you?

Farming is hard, which is why women are naturally fit for it. It’s an intuitive art in many ways, and requires patience, persistence, and a level of care and connection that women naturally exude.

Q: What do you wish the next generation of women in agriculture would know about your work? What advice would you give them?

Follow your dreams and keep working. Don’t let small setbacks, stereotypes, barriers or challenges stop you from doing what you know you were meant to do. Find your niche and lean into it. Build it, and your community will come. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and always know your worth and your strength.

Q: Have you had access to formal education or informal training programs to help you grow your operation?

I have no formal training in agriculture. I completed a one year informal farm apprenticeship and have participated in countless conferences, workshops and professional development opportunities to get me to where I am today.

Q: What technologies or innovations have made the biggest difference on your farm? How do you stay informed about best practices, weather, markets, or new technologies?

Using high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels allows me to extend my season in the harsh climate I farm in. I use drip irrigation for my field and high tunnels. I stay engaged with networks of like-minded farmers to stay informed on best practices.

Q: Describe a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it. 

Accessing land. I put my farming dream on hold for almost a decade to save money and pay down student loans to be able to qualify for a mortgage.