Ohio Women Hold Leadership Roles in Agriculture

In partnership with: Ohio Department of Agriculture

Women play an important role in Ohio agriculture, especially with 26,569 principal producers. Annie Warmke, a goat herder from Philo, is on a mission to make sure women in agriculture are visible and considered vital.

Nearly 10 years ago, Warmke, bison rancher Carie Starr, and another friend were discussing the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture and the lack of women represented in the data. The three decided to spotlight women agriculturists in Ohio by sponsoring a tour of 14 sites representing female-run farms, gardens, and homesteads. That first tour’s success led to the formation of Women Grow Ohio, a group of farmers, growers, and producers connecting and uniting Ohio women in all forms of agriculture. 

Women at Work

Although subsequent tours, face-to-face classes and other events were successful, Women Grow Ohio is currently on hold as its new leader tackles health issues. Never ones to sit still, Warmke and Starr created Buffalo Gals Voices to tell the stories of women who are thriving in agriculture. Through a series of podcasts, webinars, and in-person classes, women learn a variety of skills, from basic welding to using satellite imagery to appropriately locate new fencing or ponds on their properties. 

“Our goal is to help women take the things they already know and the resources to make a living in agriculture,” says Warmke. “The more women who are empowered by what they do, the better things are for all of us in agriculture, and in the world.”

See more: Spotlighting Virginia Women in Agriculture   

Warmke shares her agritourism experiences as co-owner of Blue Rock Station, a 40-acre sustainability center featuring the “earthship.” Built of tires rammed with earth, reclaimed barn wood, and other recycled materials, Annie and her husband Jay’s home is part of the tours and workshops the Warmkes host to demonstrate sustainable living concepts to visitors.  

The Scoop on Work-Life Balance

Snowville Creamery is a Pomeroy-based dairy processor specializing in milk and yogurt products that are easier for those with lactose intolerance to digest. Started by Victoria Taylor and her former partner Warren Taylor, their products are carried in over 200 stores including Whole Foods, Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Fresh Thyme locations throughout Ohio and other states. 

Snowville’s products are made from A2/A2 cow’s milk, which refers to the milk protein cows produced thousands of years ago before they were domesticated. Human milk is also A2, and research shows that it is easier to digest, unlike the A1 protein that’s typically found in commercially sold milk. 

See more: Wisconsin Dairy Farms Are Milking the Future

Snowville uses only milk from grass-grazed, non-GMO fed, 100% A2-tested cows. The creamery minimally processes its milk and does not homogenize or add thickeners or preservatives. Milk is pasteurized at minimal time and temperature per federal pasteurization laws.

Now the sole owner of Snowville Creamery, Victoria Taylor has expanded the company philosophy of doing what’s best for the planet and the customer in further championing work-life balance for her two-dozen employees. 

Women in Ag

“Sometimes people literally bring their kids to work,” she says. “We’re more family-friendly, and yet we’re not any less efficient in getting things done. That’s been a real joy for me to watch this develop.” 

Snowville Creamery is a female-led company as the general manager and marketing director are women. 

“We work together well and are more collaborative in terms of how we function,” Taylor says.   

See more: Women Farmers Find Success in Ohio

She has experienced challenges as a female in a male-dominated industry. 

“It’s the same thing women go through in every aspect of business, which is not being listened to or not being taken as seriously,” Taylor says. “But there are advantages as a female. I think I have a better understanding of dealing with a group of people, almost like being the crew’s mom as opposed to the boss.”