Stories of Women and Nonbinary Farmers Leading the Way in Conservation in New England

Across the Northeast, women and nonbinary farmers are leading the way in adopting practices that build resilience, starting with the soil.  AFT staff worked with local writer Jacquelyn Voghel to capture the stories of women and non-binary farmers in Massachusetts that highlight their relationships with soil health, stewardship and conservation.  In the face of mounting challenges, their stories show why investing in equitable, soil-centered conservation programs is essential to the future of farming.  Women and nonbinary farmers lead with care, creativity, and resilience—protecting both the land and the communities that depend on it. Click below to meet the farmers!

The profiles were made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Humanities Council, NRCS Massachusetts, and an anonymous donor. 

These profiles aim to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural community in Massachusetts, where the contributions of women farmers are recognized and valued. Healthier soils support farmers in weathering droughts, reducing erosion from heavy rains and cycling nutrients, and many farmers look to changes in tillage and cover cropping to improve their soil health. Conservation tillage has gained traction, particularly on dairy farms, but vegetable producers still face barriers.  A lack of technical support and access to specialized equipment continues to slow adoption, especially for smaller-scale farmers already navigating limited resources. Similarly, challenges with cost, timing, and technical knowledge limit farmers' ability to implement cover crops in the Northeast. 

There’s no single path to implementing soil health practices, and although over 40% of farmers in New England are women, they have historically faced more barriers to accessing conservation programs and networks. Narratives about who farms continue to be influenced by traditional gender roles, and while women are increasingly playing primary decision-making roles on farms they are also disproportionately impacted by issues of childcare, healthcare, land ownership, labor and financial capital.   

Peer-to-peer networks, especially those prioritizing women’s leadership, are proven to help spread innovations and build confidence in new approaches among underrepresented groups.  When farmers are supported to take a whole-systems approach to conservation tillage and cover cropping—including adjusting nutrient management and equipment—they are more likely to succeed and share what they’ve learned with others. 

American Farmland Trust is working to raise awareness about the role of women and non-binary farmers in agriculture, and their role in stewarding soil health and conservation on farmland. Regional AFT staff in New England collaborate with the national The Women for the Land (WFL) program to expand narratives about who farms, celebrate the contributions of farmers from diverse backgrounds, and to convene Learning Circles. Learning Circle are spaces created by and for women and nonbinary farmers to connect, share knowledge, and access the tools they need to lead in conservation and care for their land, and they are often supported through partnerships with organizations led by and serving farmers of color. 

The goals of our work on these issues in New England are to: 

• Showcase Diversity and Inclusion:

  • Highlight the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and contributions of women farmers, including women of color, in Massachusetts. 

  • Challenge traditional perceptions of farmers by showcasing women in various agricultural roles. 

• Promote Soil Health and Conservation Practices:  

  • Emphasize the adoption of soil health management systems (SHMS) such as cover crops, no-till, and nutrient management. 

  • Encourage the use of conservation practices to improve farm sustainability and resilience. 

• Elevate Women's Voices:  

  • Provide a platform for women farmers to share their stories, challenges, and successes in the agricultural sector.

  • Recognize and honor the contributions of women in farming. 

• Foster Networking and Support:  

  • Create connections among women farmers, conservation professionals, and agricultural service providers. 

  • Build peer-to-peer networks to facilitate knowledge sharing and support. 

• Inspire and Empower:  

  • Inspire other women farmers to participate in soil health practices and conservation programs. 

  • Empower women farmers by providing them with the knowledge and resources to improve their farming practices. 

Photo Credits: 

• Katie Goodall Photography (Ellen, Lindsay, Kat, and Lucinda). 

• Kay Cardenas and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (Margaret). 

• Yun-Yun Li and friends (Yun-Yun).