AgCareers Career Guide - September 2016 - US

41 / 48

KKRYSTA HARDEN, a farm girl from
Georgia, has dedicated her career to
helping American farmers through
various roles in the U.S. government,
ultimately serving as Deputy Secretary
of the USDA alongside Secretary Tom
Vilsack. Throughout her 30-year history
in agriculture, she admits that women
have not always been treated equally in
the industry, but she has never let that
stop her from reaching her goals.
“There are times still when I am the
only decision-maker at the table who
is female and that is changing,” Harden
said. “In the past, I didn’t have the
automatic acceptance that some of my
male peers had; I always had to earn
it. There have been times I felt that my
ideas or concerns were dismissed or
even ignored because I was a female.
I found I had to work harder and to
always make sure my facts were correct
and I had every detail just right. There
was no room for even a minor mistake.
I was raised by parents who helped me
have confidence to be that different
voice and to contribute even though it
may not always be comfortable or easy.”
While both men and women today
would tell you that the perception of
women in agriculture has changed for
the better, a 2015 study done by
sheds light on the issues
still faced by women in agriculture.
More than 2,000 responses indicate a
disparity in pay between genders with
men typically earning more than women.
Harden, who now serves as the Vice
President Public
Policy and Chief
Sustainability
Officer with
DuPont,
recognizes that
women are
sometimes
hesitant to ask
IN AGRICULTURE
by Kristine Penning, Creative Marketing Specialist
1/2 of women surveyed said
they had experienced
blunt sexism at work.
49%
of women felt
they would be
better
compensated
if they were
male.
of women hoped to advance
to a higher level role one day.
70%
79% of women felt there was gender
inequality in agribusiness. Just 47%
of men felt the same.
of both men & women
felt the attitude toward
women in ag has
changed for the better
in the past decade.
80%
for what they deserve.
“It’s not always comfortable for
women to ask for raises or promotions,”
Harden said. “It can be hard to
recognize your own worth when others
are making you feel less. I believe
strongly that women need to help other
women. We need to be fair to all
candidates but certainly should be
encouraging women to apply for key
positions and help mentor them for
growth at the highest levels.”
Despite a wage and hierarchy gap
in agribusiness, this study also revealed
that more than 90% of both men and
women believe that women are an
integral part of agriculture.
“Women have always been involved
in agriculture yet our roles haven’t been
valued as much as they should,” Harden
said. “The good news is the awareness
of women’s contributions is changing.”
Harden said she is excited about the
future of agriculture knowing that more
and more women are getting involved.
“Not everyone will be on a farm or
ranch and they will contribute to the
industry in other ways,” Harden said.
“We need researchers, communicators,
SHINING A LIGHT ON
policy makers, nutritionists, marketers,
economists, conservationists, teachers…
the list is long and jobs are available!”
Her advice to young women in ag?
“Look at your opportunities, not your
limitations. You can do it. And there are
other women and men here to help. We
need and want your voice, your energy,
your ideas, and your passion!”
You can view the full “Gender Roles
& Equality in Agribusiness” survey report
on
41 A g & Food CAreer guide