“My advice would be don’t get caught up in worrying if you are doing the right thing, do the hard work – do the research, ask for wise advice and then move forward with your heart and passion. Then give yourself grace.”
Rohrbach’s Farm; Catawissa, Pennsylvania
Q: Tell us about your agricultural operation, your background and how you got started in agriculture.
I grew up on my family farm, but took a job in the Philadelphia area after college graduation, in 1997. I met and married my husband Dan there, but in 2013 we returned to the farm with our three children to open a roadside BBQ stand. In 2015 I took over a portion of the family farm – particularly the orchards, agritourism aspect and farm market. I began to farm alongside of my brother who was already farming field crops, seed business and maintains a hog and beef operation. I farm approximately 27 acres of fruit trees, flowers, strawberries, pumpkins, and raspberries. Our farm market is open from late April through the end of December and we are heavily focused on pick your own, agritourism and agri-education. We host a full event schedule of agri-education activities for youth in the spring, summer and fall. We are involved with 17 local school groups to present on farm or in school programming. Taking over the farm at this season in my personal life has been challenging because I have had to learn so much and it was essential to change many of our farming practices to improve on diversity and profitability. On the other hand I brought a lot of previous experience and inputs that were transferrable skills. As a fourth generation owner I have an incredible legacy to stand on and to carry forward. I am incredibly grateful for that. In 2025 our farm and family celebrated it’s 70th anniversary. That is a substantial milestone and my family has an awesome staff and community to thank for the tremendous support over the years.
Q: What does working in agriculture, and specifically being a woman in agriculture, mean to you?
Being a woman in agriculture represents a diversity of responsibilities. Growing food for my family and community is front line work, providing safe, nutritious and delicious food. There are so many aspects and responsibilities in that role from understanding inputs to following regulations. All of this starts with my own education and understanding and then sharing that information in relevant ways to my community.
I also believe that no matter what your career or role, there is a responsibility to mentor and inspire youth; it is essential to continue the legacy of strong agriculture in Pennsylvania. I have a responsibility to represent agriculture well with every opportunity I have but especially to inspire and motivate young people to consider agriculture related careers.
Q: What do you wish the next generation of women in agriculture would know about your work? What advice would you give them?
Working in agriculture is fulfilling. I love my work and I love that my life’s work makes a difference for my family and my community.
My advice would be don’t get caught up in worrying if you are doing the right thing, do the hard work – do the research, ask for wise advice and then move forward with your heart and passion. Then give yourself grace. You will make mistakes and you will learn from them. They are not set backs they are building blocks.
Q: Have you had access to formal education or informal training programs to help you grow your operation?
Yes. I seek out education resources and especially peer farmers who are experts in their field. I love this about the ag community – we aren’t competitors, we are all working to care for our families and community and we do that together. We support each other.
Q: What would make it easier for women in agriculture to access the capital they need?
Less cumbersome grant applications. Accountability in grant access is essential but the hoops to navigate are tedious and repetitive. Although grant funding is not a sustainable means for farming if it’s going to be available the same information could be obtained in more efficient formats.
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?
As a small farm we often don’t have the funding for all the innovations and that is ok because we get creative in how we manage things. I can be on a lot more hands with every aspect of the farm because we are small and I prefer that for my operation. I do a lot of reading and research to learn about farming innovations. Often when we want to learn about something we also turn it into one of our summer education workshops for youth in our community. We learn together. One example of that is drone use in agriculture. We brought in a drone pilot who taught the kids all about drone use in agriculture. It was incredible to learn all about this resource and it really engaged and inspired the kids who attended. They started to see the bigger picture in agriculture in a way they relate to best (technology).
I attend conference and online seminars to continue to stay informed. My biggest resource is talking with my dad, my brother and other local farmers in the area. I am surrounded by amazing farmers who are generous with their help and time despite all their own responsibilities.
Q: Describe a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
For the first few years of taking over the farm I was my own obstacle. I didn’t have enough confidence to trust my own decisions, so I often delayed things or just made last minute decisions. I have learned to trust myself. I have such great mentors, including my dad and brother, who help me every step of the way but they also support me making independent decisions.
Q: Has your state department of agriculture helped you advance your operation? How?
Yes, I received a grant from the USDA for an apple sorting machine. Also, I am in regular contact with Secretary Redding’s office for questions or support.
