Women Make `Giant Strides' in Agriculture

January 12, 2000

Women have made giant strides in agriculture and business during the past century with more being elected to Congress, statehouses and other branches of government, the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting was told.

Linda Reinhardt, AFBF Women's Committee chair, said one of the "crowning achievements of the past century has been the advancement of women in the world, whether it be in business, science, politics or agriculture. Women in agriculture have become full-fledged business partners involved in the legislative, economic and social aspects of rural America."

She continued, "In many parts of the world, women are gaining a stronger voice in the policy process, and they are directly involved in the decisions that affect their country, their economy and their future."

Reinhardt also noted the success of "food check-out day"that commemorates the role farmers play in the affordability of food in the United States. "When you have 42 states commemorating the day in which the average American has earned enough income to pay for his or her food supply for the entire year, that's visibility." This year, food check-out day will be observed on Feb. 9.