4 Inspiring Women Farmers in Texas
Discover > Farm to Table Eating in Texas > 4 Inspiring Women Farmers in Texas
In honor of International Women’s Day – March 8th, 2022 – TexasRealFood is focusing on inspiring women farmers and ranchers who make up an integral part of the Texan farming community. Click here to learn more about women-owned and led businesses in Texas!
Women have always and continue to play highly significant roles in our state’s sustainable farming systems. We have more than 120,000 female farmers working across 43 million acres, making up upwards of 33% of Texas farmers.
I remember always being in awe of female farmers when we would spot them behind a stall on our weekly farmers' market trips. They made perfect role models for my sister and I who loved recreating the market scene with our wooden veggie sets. Click here for a complete guide on Texas farmers' markets.
Read on as we recognize some of these resilient Texan women who are forerunners in the field of sustainable agriculture.
1. Ivy Lorraine Wells
Ivy Leaf Farms is a community farm in Houston, Texas, founded by Ivy Lorraine Wells. Ivy is also a community entrepreneur on multiple levels who began her journey with an apparel brand that captured the essence of colored communities.
Her passion for creating change and a sense of community in the people around her led her to create unique social networks such as Undisputed Excellence, Jeeping While Black, and now Ivy Leaf Farms.
Ivy Leaf Farm educates the neighborhood about gardening and helps set up community gardens. They also assisted in establishing the Sunnyside Multi-service Center Garden. With food gardens like these, the people in need in the community have access to free eggplants, peas, potatoes, squashes, tomatoes, and many more. Ivy’s goal for this farm is to make it a source of organic produce within the community and help to alleviate some of its food scarcity issues.
Sunnyside Community residents in zip codes 77051, 77033, and 77047-if you would like to receive a share of vegetables from the Ivy Leaf farm, please check out their listing here.
Contact: https://twitter.com/ivyleaffarms
2. Kristina Smith
Kristina, the owner of Pearl G. Graham Farms in Houston, Texas, prides herself on having “Houston’s freshest duck (What wine goes well with duck?) eggs.” Kristina is also a proud TDA Young Farmer Grant Recipient for 2021-22. She named her homestead farm after a phenomenal female figure in her life-her maternal grandmother Pearl Edna Graham. Kristina believes that ducks and their eggs can help empower marginalized food desert communities. You can contact her directly here for fresh duck eggs or visit when she sets up shop in the Freedsmen Town Farmers Market.
Follow Pearl G Graham Farms on social media here.
3. Angela Smith
Angela and the Smith family raise Dorper lambs, Broad Breasted White turkeys, Cornish Rock chickens, Red Wattle hogs, and several egg-laying hen breeds. Their animals are hormone and antibiotic-free. They are not only state-inspected but also USDA inspected upon harvest. With Angela’s large family helping out, the Smith and Smith farm reaches several farmer’s markets: from Barton Creek farmers market and Lakeline farmers market on Saturdays and the Mueller farmers market on Sundays.
Address: 631 County Road 134, Burlington, TX 76519
Contact: (254) 721-0202
4. Amelia Sweethardt
Amelia’s Pure Luck Farm and Dairy is located in the rolling hills of Dripping Springs, TX. Amelia has been producing nationally award-winning goat cheese for over 20 years. Pure Luck Farm and Dairy in Dripping Springs is home to 100 Nubian, Alpine, and Saanen breeds. Their chevre, herbed chevre varieties, feta, and June’s Joy, the chevre mixed with Texas honey, thyme, and peppercorns-are not to be missed. Amelia grew up on the farm and learned to appreciate the value of the land, the goats, the work, and her home. So when her mother asked her to assist her in making cheese in 1997, Amelia was more than ready. Today, she manages all operations, takes care of the herd, and produces award-winning cheeses.
Visit the Pure Luck Farm and Dairy website here.
Address: 3000 Martin Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Contact: (512) 917-2803
Do you know of any Texan Women farmers you would like to see featured on TexasRealFood? Drop a comment and let us know!
Joining farmers' markets is a great way to boost income and contribute to your local community. Learn how to become a Texas farmers' market vendor, including acquiring licenses, obtaining supplies, and selling homemade food products.
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