Texas Farmers MarketTexas Farmers’ Market’s Women in Agriculture
Oftentimes women are unsung heroes in the world of agriculture. Texas Farmers’ Market is proud to present our new project promoting the women of our shared Central Texas agriculture community.
The 2012 Census of Agriculture notes that nearly one million women are working America’s lands. Together, these women are generating $12.9 billion in annual agricultural sales (source). In Texas we have over 120,000 female farmers working 43 million acres, making up 33% of Texas farmers (source), with an $818 million economic impact. Women have deep roots in our state’s agricultural community and in order to help foster their continued involvement, it is vital to highlight and celebrate the crucial role they play.
For the Texas Farmers’ Market’s Women in Agriculture project we highlight 14 female farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers from our markets that tell a story of Texas women in agriculture. Scroll down to meet the women and their businesses! All portraits were taken by photographer Nora Chovanec.
Amelia Sweethardt of Pure Luck Farm & Dairy
Their family farm and goat dairy is located in Dripping Springs and is where they make the home of their 100 Nubian and Alpine goats and farm five acres of certified organic land on Barton Creek. They specialize in handmade artisan goat cheese and certified organic culinary herbs. Everything they do is by hand and for the love of doing it!
Amy Greer of Winters Family Beef
Amy is a 6th generation rancher on her family’s land, the Winters/Wall Ranch, in Brady, TX. She and her husband George decided to blaze their own trail by raising Angus and Wagyu cattle that would always be free from antibiotics, steroids and added hormones. Their animals are given free-choice feed in the pasture and are never captive in feed lots. She loves her cows and always treats them with the utmost care and compassion.
Angela Smith of Smith & Smith Farms
Angela and her family specialize in pasture raised meats that are hormone and antibiotic free. Out in Rogers, TX they have 50 acres where they raise Dorper lambs, all different breeds of laying hens, Cornish Rock meat chickens, red wattle hogs, and their new venture, broad breasted white turkeys (which many of our market shoppers will be enjoying this Thanksgiving!) All of the animals on their farm are free range, roam around everywhere and are as happy as can be.
Carin Moore of Blackland Prairie Farm
Since shooting this project Carin has retired from farming. We wish her all the best!
Cypress Sigman of Engel Farm
Cypress uses her background in organic farming, permaculture and other aspects of sustainable living at Engel Farm in Fredericksburg to grow sustainable fruits and vegetables. Like so many farmers, she is a multitasker and also sells John Deere tractors and raises laying hens on the side. At Engel she helped transition the farm from conventional to organic growing practices and currently utilizes many different sustainable methods to create more beneficial insects, increased soil fertility, healthy plants, longer shelf life and a stronger farm eco-system!
Donna Bernhardt of Bernhardt’s Farm
Donna and her husband, Alex, run a sustainable fruit and vegetable farm and commercial kitchen in Elgin, TX. Donna works hard to provide central Texans with sustainable and delicious veggies, fruits, hummus, kraut, kimchi, pickles, pesto, tea blends, dried fruit and more!
Eileen Niswander of Yegua Creek Pecan Farm
Eileen and her husband, Gene, grow pecans and make delicious pecan products, including roasted and flavored pecans. Eileen also runs their commercial kitchen and prepares many different delicious jams, jellies, breads and sweet treats for all to enjoy.
Germaine Swenson of Munkebo Farm
On her sustainable farm in Manor, TX Germaine pasture-raises quail; Muscovy, Khaki Cambell and mallard ducks; grass-fed Piedmontese and Piedmontese Angus crossed cattle; and domesticated feral hogs. In tandem with humanely raising her animals, she uses organic and permaculture methods to grow an abundance of vegetables and fruit with no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, specializing in growing heirlooms and unusual varieties.
Jackie Pomrenke of Flintrock Hill Farm
Jackie and her husband run a sustainable fruit and vegetable farm in Kingsbury, Texas. She grows hydroponic and field tomatoes, strawberries, corn, greens, green beans, summer squash and much, much more!
Katie Kraemer of Tecolote Farm
Katie and her husband, David, have been running their small organic family farm since 1994. Located on the rich soils of the Blackland Prairie 13 miles east of downtown, Tecolote has been bringing delicious, fresh vegetables to Austinites for over 20 years, making them one of the area’s original organic farmers! They grow 150 vegetable varieties from all over the world and their CSA is the pioneering longest-running in Texas! Katie and the team at Tecolote Farm brings a unique flavor to the Austin community and chose their partnerships with farmers’ markets and Austin’s best restaurants based on shared values, a love of good food, and dedication to quality.
Lisa Wachsman of Manheim Market Gardens
Lisa and her husband grow sustainable fruits and vegetables and raise chickens for eggs on their farm in Paige, TX. Lisa supports her family by working an off the farm job Monday through Friday and then helps her husband to sell the produce at the Lakeline Market on Saturdays.
Liz Mejia of Green Hen Farm
Liz and her husband Alvaro pasture raise chickens for eggs on their farm in Goldthwaite, TX. They built their farm around the promise that each of their hens receives dignified and humane treatment as they roam around green pastures. They focus on creating a sustainable food supply by sourcing their grains from farms and mills that are certified organic and free of GMO’s. They rely on herbs rather than antibiotics. And with the help of the hens, they make natural compost which is used to keep their pastures growing. In providing a happy life for their hens, they can deliver the best eggs from their farm to your table!
Pam McCaskill of Austin Orchards
Pam and her family run an all-natural orchard using environmentally sound practices in Garfield, TX. Their peaches, blackberries, strawberries, nectarines, pomegranates, pears, figs, grapes and watermelons are the sweetest around! Pam sells at the Mueller Market when their fruit is in season.
Perrine Noelke of Belle Vie Farm & Kitchen
Perrine and her husband pasture raise and organically feed French white Muscovy ducks, pigs, and turkeys on their farm in Thrall, TX. At the markets they not only sell delicious eggs and fresh meat, but a range of amazing charcuterie, soups and French baked goods as well!
Petra Richards of The Artistic Farmer
Since shooting this project Petra has taken a break from raising goats. We wish her all the best!
This project would not be possible without the support of our sponsors Capital Farm Credit and Precision Camera.
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