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You will recall that last month, I shared that 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. I had the chance to meet a few women farmers in France recently so I thought I would share a bit of what I learned.
Meet Solene.
Solene is a sixth generation dairy farmer. She, along with her sister and mother, run "Ferme Notre Dame" in southwest France. Solene was a student in one of my classes about 7 years ago and since then she has graduated with an agriculture degree and taken over the farm previously run by her mother. The farm focuses on dairy cattle (about 60 head) and genetic breeding stock. They also raise poultry, sheep and produce grains for animal feed. In addition, they are in the process of opening an on-farm cheese production facility to make and sell cheese from their milk. Our class toured the farm with Solene and learned about some of the challenges of being a dairy farmer in this region. For example, they sell their milk for 1 euro (about $1.15 USD) per liter. So adding value to their milk by turning it into cheese will allow them to enhance their profitability, of course, it will mean a lot more work and start-up funding.
Women farm make up 30% of all farmers in France, but they face unique struggles to get the job done. Like a lot of U.S. farm women, French women tell me they are treated differently because many do not see them as 'real farmers'. For example, Solene told us she and her sister were not allowed to join the local co-operative that is devoted to ag. machinery sharing because the other male farmers in the area do not trust their skills with the equipment. Accessing appropriate technology is a major hurdle for many women farmers and the cost is very prohibitive so being able to share access to the equipment through the co-operative would save them time and money in the same way that the male farmers benefit. This is particularly difficult for those new to farming. Solene benefited from the years of experience and resources her mother had amassed. A woman trying to enter farming without a family legacy would be even more handicapped in this regard. Regardless of the challenges she faces she was still passionate about her work and her love of cows. She was living her dream and happy to share with us!
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