"Where
should I begin? I guess I should begin where understanding
agriculture begins, what God teaches. Have you ever read Proverbs
31:10-31? It starts with "Who can find a virtuous woman? for
her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do
him good and not evil all the days of her life." The next several
verses tell about the important role a farmer's wife has. She is not
just a chief cook and bottle washer, she is a business lady making
important decision like buying a field to grow food for her family
and to sell in the city. The fruit of her labor provides her the
opportunity to buy land and buy a wide variety food for her family.
Her resourcefulness also allows her to be able to share her bounty
with the poor and needy. The farmer's wife was to do this to bring
honor to her husband and provide a safe home for her family. But
even more important she does this to honor and worship the Lord.
This virtuous farm wife will not only be praised by her husband and
children but she will also be known and praised in the city. It was
God who first offered a way for us women to receive respect for what we
do." |
Proverbs
31:10-31
(KJV)
Who can
find a virtuous woman? for her price is far
above rubies. The heart of her husband doth
safely trust in her, so that he shall have
no need of spoil. She will do him good and
not evil all the days of her life.
She
seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh
willingly with her hands. She is like the
merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from
afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion
to her maidens. She considereth a field, and
buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she
planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins
with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night. She
layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the
needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed
with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings
of tapestry; her clothing is silk and
purple. Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the
land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and
she shall rejoice in time to come. She
openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her
tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh
well to the ways of her household, and
eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her
children arise up, and call her blessed; her
husband also, and he praiseth her. Many
daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and
beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the
LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the
fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates. |
Wonder Women of
Agriculture | USDA |
Women in
Agriculture | Alternative Farming Systems
Information Center | NAL | USDA |
Women in Ag
Learning Network (extension.org) |
Women in
Agriculture | Successful Farming |
The Importance of
Women In Ag | Successful Farming (agriculture.com) |
Women Who
Revolutionized Agriculture and the World: Part 1
(womeninagscience.org) |
|
Harriet Williams Russell Strong
(1844-1926)
Widowed with kids and without any formal education, Harriet pioneered new
methods in water conservation and dry land irrigation to supply her walnut,
olive and pomegranate plantings. She created several inventions and patents,
raised fast-growing pampas grass and sold plumes in her efforts to save her
family and ranch from debt. She later became the leading commercial grower of
walnuts in the U.S. Her life’s work and advocacy for water conservation,
irrigation, women’s rights and education gained her fame as an inventor,
agricultural pioneer, civic leader, philanthropist and advocate for women. |
Dr. Mary Engle Pennington
(1872-1952)
The “Ice Woman” of the “Cold Chain” revolutionized the food supply and
distribution system by developing safe and sanitary methods for processing,
storing and shipping dairy products, poultry, eggs and fish. In addition to
instilling food safety and preservation practices, the chemist and engineer
helped design and evaluate transportation and storage mediums aimed at
maintaining low temperatures to reduce bacteria counts in refrigerated and
frozen foods. Mary served President Hoover’s Food Administration, USDA, and FDA,
as well as the private sector. |
|
|
|
|
|
|