Women in Agriculture

Women have always worked in agriculture, but their roles are increasingly visible and valued. The image of the farmer's wife as mere helper has given way to recognition of women as farm managers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Government statistics show women now head 25% of French farms and participate in managing 60%.

Catherine Leblanc runs a goat farm in the Drôme, producing cheese sold throughout France. "My grandmother milked cows but had no say in farm decisions," she reflects. "I make all decisions - breeding, feeding, marketing." Her success required overcoming skepticism. "When I started, feed salesmen asked to speak to my husband. I don't have one, and if I did, he wouldn't know my goats."

Women often pioneer diversification. They develop agritourism, direct sales, and value-added processing. They bring different perspectives on farm management, often emphasizing quality of life alongside profitability. Networks like Femmes en Agriculture provide support, training, and advocacy. Yet challenges remain - access to land, credit discrimination, and physical demands that favor mechanization over labor-intensive enterprises.