Women Taking on Leadership Roles in Agriculture

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

There are a number of programs out there to promote women in agriculture, but Lynetta Usher Griner says there are plenty of leadership roles for women all throughout the agricultural industry. And she would know.

Griner… “I was the first female president of the Florida Forestry Association in its 90 year history. And I don’t believe it was because they didn’t want women. I was just in the right place at the right time.

Griner, who is a landowner, logger, and cattle producer in North Central Florida, says she encourages other women to seek out industry leadership positions.

Griner… “Farming is not for the faint of heart. I don’t call myself a farmer. But I think a lot of people fill those roles, whether it’s farming or logging - agricultural roles - without calling themselves farmers. On the USDA website, it says that ⅓ of America’s farmers are women. And I think it might be even more than that, because of that simple reason that people don’t identify as a farmer. But women have been involved in agriculture from the get go. They’ve always been partners with their husbands in the ownership of the farm, because they have a vested interest just like their husband does.”

Griner is still the only female to ever serve as the president of the Florida Forestry Association, but she hopes to see that change very soon.