“I always encourage the younger generation, male or female, to come help me and see what I do, hoping that it plants a seed in them or builds the foundation for them to pursue an agricultural path.”

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

I have always been drawn to agricultural life. Growing up in southern Cali was all about off-road vehicles, surfing and softball, and I always had horses growing up. But I wanted so much more. I was always drawn to cattle I have no idea why, but I couldn’t get enough of them. When I was 16, I had my first son I was scared to death but I wasn’t going to weaken and I finished high school with my class and my little one by my side. By 19, I had my daughter and 23 I had my last son I ended up falling in love with horse shoeing so for the next 23 years I was a full time horse shoer and a single mom. In 2007 I ended up losing my house in a wildfire in southern California and ended up going north to Nevada.

The last ten years while shoeing full time I started to cowboy for local ranchers and I couldn’t get enough of it this is where I knew I was supposed to be and what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life I have worked at feed lots managed two ranches and various day work for the local rancher all while putting together my own heard now I run my own ranch and my goal is to become a reputable beef producer I currently sell beef that I have raised and finished to the local business owners (restaurants) and local consumers.

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

Being a part of the agricultural world and working in it as a woman is almost like feeling like a superhero, in my case super women. The many hours day in and day out, the hours of hard work, the tears you fight through on the unsuccessful days. At the end of the day, it is all worth it when you can look back and see all your accomplishments. I love being a woman in this industry because I prove to myself every day that women do have an important role in the agricultural industry.

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

I hope my work shows the next generation to always think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try the ideas that come to you. Nutrition has become a huge interest to me and the ration I have put together on my own for my beef steers has shown to be very promising and contribute to the great quality of beef I can provide to the community. Being a woman in the agricultural industry requires the strength to stand on your own and to stand up against the competition without weakening.  I always encourage the younger generation, male or female, to come help me and see what I do, hoping that it plants a seed in them or builds the foundation for them to pursue an agricultural path.

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

I have not had any formal education in the beef industry, just trial and error and collecting information through the years of working for other in the same operation

Q: What would make it easier for women in agriculture to access the capital they need?

Reducing gender bias in lending would be a start, provide free trainings on business planning, financial literacy, record keeping and digital tools to improve access to collateral.