Book Description

Women have always made major contributions to the success of agribusiness and farm operations, but until now there has been little scholarship on the business characteristics, roles, and organizations and activities of farm women in farms and ranches in the United States. This is the first study to deal with farm women as entrepreneurs. Its focus is on demographic and entrepreneurial characteristics, opportunities of leadership and networking provided through the agricultural, business, and community organizations to which the women belonged. The author developed and administered a questionnaire to over 1,000 statistically-selected individuals from three national agricultural women's organizations. The basic design of this unique study was to explore the literature from both a historical and a contemporary perspective on entrepreneurship, on women as entrepreneurs, and on farm women, and then gather primary data from a national survey of farm women. This study compares the characteristics of farm women with non-farm women entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to policymakers and economic development specialists with interest in entrepreneurship, revitalization of rural America, and women's studies. Historical information is presented on women's organizations, their leaders, and the impact of these organizations; and major federal legislation impacting women and women business owners is provided in the appendices.