LONDON, Ohio – Farming has long been considered “a man’s occupation.” However, times are changing. Today, women play an integral part in farming, either as a principal operator (14 percent) or as a decision-maker (37 percent).

With this in mind, Farm Science Review has added Kitchen Table Conversations to its list of attractions as a way of allowing women on the farm the chance to address issues that they have, learn new ways of doing things, hear from other female farm experts and build new levels of confidence. Each session will feature a leading expert and moderators to generate dialogue and discussion among participants.

The Kitchen Table Conversations will be hosted by the Ohio Women in Agriculture of Ohio State University Extension. This program will focus on key topics related to health, marketing, finance, legal and production for women in agriculture, and others.

“Women attending this could be the farm owner, owner-operator or simply the farm wife,” said Gigi Neal, Ohio State Extension educator from Clermont County.

Neal is one of the presenters and is part of the OSU Extension Women in Agriculture Team that includes Ohio State Extension Educators Heather Neikirk (Stark County), Emily Adams (Coshocton County) and Beth Scheckelhoff (Putnam County).

“Last year we held these Kitchen Conversations at just one location at Farm Science Review, this year we’ll be holding six talks at various locations. They will be held at different locations because these sites are geared toward a specific topic.”

On Sept.  19, the talks will take place at the Ask an Expert Tent (10:30 a.m.) and the Gwynne Conservation Area (2 p.m.).

At the Ask the Experts Tent, women can learn about Annie’s Project, a national non-profit that helps to educate and empower women in agriculture. The organization is celebrating its 20th year. It has more than 19,000 graduates across 38 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Topics will include such things as estate planning, finances and bookkeeping.

At the Gwynne Conservation Area, Ohio State Extension educator Amy Stone will discuss the havoc played upon crops and trees by the spotted lanternfly.

On Sept. 20, the Kitchen Table Conversations will continue at the Ag Safety Area (10:30 a.m.) and the McCormick Building (2 p.m.)

During the gathering at the Ag Safety Area, women will learn about personal protection equipment (PPE) used on today’s farm. Heading up these talks will be Dr. Dee Jepsen, agricultural safety and health program director at Ohio State. Jepsen has been with the program since 1992.

“A lot of times this personal protection equipment is made for adult males, so women need to make sure they’re obtaining the proper size that suits them,” Neal said.

At the McCormick Building, Bridget Britton will lead talks about family, life and mental health on the farm. Britton, from the Tuscarawas County Extension office, is a behavioral health field specialist in the agricultural and natural resources program for Ohio State.

On Sept. 21, the Kitchen Table Conversations will be held at the Small Farms Tent (10:30 a.m.) and Livestock Tent (2 p.m.)

At the Small Farm Tent, Neal will lead a discussion entitled “Where’s Waldo.”

“It’s called Where’s Waldo, which refers to how to find the equipment to operate on a small farm,” Neal said. “I get calls from women all the time asking me where they can find a specific piece of equipment for a small farm. Maybe they’re looking for a smaller hay baler. It could be anything. At the Livestock Tent, women will discuss all things livestock.

“We’re trying to put programs like this, not just at Farm Science Review, but all across the state to highlight all the different aspects of women in agriculture. Women can do the same things as the adult males, we just need to do things with our muscles, not their muscles.”