Women in agriculture
Many people think of farmers above all as men. However, this understanding does not correspond to reality: More than one out of three farms in Austria is managed by a farm woman. Women play a much greater role in agriculture than many people think.
33 percent of the farms are managed by women
In Austria, about 28,000 agricultural holdings are managed by a woman. These are about 33 percent, which means more than one in three farms. In Salzburg and Upper Austria even 40 percent of all farms are managed by a woman. It is therefore undeniable that women play an important role for agriculture. Nevertheless as a stereotype men are often shown as farm managers.
Women manage large farms less often
Unfortunately, the number of farms has, since 2010, significantly decreased in Austria. In this development, the number of farms managed by women is declining even more strongly than the number of farms managed by men: Compared to 2010 the number of farms managed by women decreased by 13,784 in absolute terms, that of “male farms” by only 7,529 farms, with a much higher starting figure. It is also noticeable that women manage large holdings less often. Whereas in the size classes below 20 hectares the share of women’s farms is 36 percent, it amounts to only 12 percent in the classes of 100 hectares and more.
Between 50 and 59 years the share of women farmers is highest
The comparative data from the preceding years indicate that the share of women farmers tends to rise with rising age. In the age classes below 30 years 20 percent and in the age classes from 30 to 39 years 25 percent of all farms are managed by women. Between 40 and 49 years an average 29 percent of the women are the bosses. The highest figures are reached in the age classes from 50 to 59 years, with 36 percent female farm managers. In the age class of 60 years and older the number stabilises at 34 percent.
Farm women impart agricultural knowledge
Many farm women do committed work also in areas that are not typically agricultural activities. For example, 315 women in Austria hold training seminars. Every year they impart knowledge to about 30,000 children and youths as well as to 21,000 grown-ups and inform about regional food and corresponding labels and trademarks at fairs and events. Many farm women also offer “School on the Farm”.