“Stand loud and stand proud.”
Pleasant Valley Farm — Brookeville, MD
What inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture, and what keeps you passionate about it today?
My family fostered my love for our farm at a young age. It's all I've ever known. I am proud to be a good steward of land and over our livestock and am very passionate about fostering that love in my own children now.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a woman in farming, and how did you overcome it?
The household- working responsibilities are my biggest challenge to balance. Often as a woman, you are expected to keep the house, cook, clean, be a taxi driver to children and more all while maintaining a career. But when the career is farming, it's even more stressful because it's a 24/7 job as well. It's important for me to be the best farmer and mom that I can. I am one of two women, and only women, coming on as the next generation of leaders in our farm operation. We have been able to overcome the stressful balance of schedules by sitting down and clearly communicating with all on a weekly basis our time commitments that need to be met in order to be effective on the farm and present as moms.
Are you a first-generation farmer, or are you carrying on a family legacy?
I am a sixth generation farmer.
What is one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of young women entering the agricultural field?
Stand loud and stand proud. Being women in ag does not limit our ability to do any job we put our minds to! In fact, being a woman in ag will provide a unique and fresh prospective on most day to day jobs.
What is the most rewarding part of your day-to-day life on the farm?
Getting to work as four generations together.
