Submitted photo Elsie Simonson has been farming for 15 years and believes that any female farmer can make it and said there are growing opportunities for women who choose to farm.

When it comes to farming, Elsie Simonson said she will always be a lifelong learner.

“Farming is hard, but it is such a blessing and the reward is so great,” she said. “It is important to take good care of the land, respect and help your neighbor. And never stop learning.”

With a farm near Canby and 15 years of farming experience, Simonson said that she farms corn, soybeans, sometimes small grain, and also raises pasture pigs. As a female in the farming industry, Simonson said there are certainly obstacles she has encountered. Historically, women choosing to be a farmer have had to sometimes endure gender stereotypes, skepticism, and isolation.

“I do feel we have to prove ourselves a bit more at times to be taken seriously,” Simonson said. “Not everyone is accepting of a female farmer/operator. Some have doubted my abilities and a few opportunities were missed because of that.”

But her experience as a female farmer has made her stronger and strategic. Specifically, it has built her patience, resilience, leadership, and self-confidence. Simonson said that she particularly enjoys working the land and outdoors as well as repair and maintenance on her equipment.

“I have a lot of patience which I believe has helped me to be successful in farming,” she said. “It is not always easy and there are challenges daily, but I tend to stay calm and not get worked up easily. I also am gentle handed with livestock and I have a good eye for detail.

“I would like to show people that a woman is more than capable of running a farming operation. Other then seasonal help, I do the day-to-day on my own. I run the combine, plant, fix equipment, haul grain, market, run the books, and much more. I think it is really important for people to see that it can be done by a woman just as efficiently as a man. I also want to show young farmers how important it is to be a good steward of the land,” Simonson said.

For the future, Simonson hopes to add more cattle to her farm and growing her tillable acres and pasture pig operation. Additionally, she would like to see increased possibilities for young and smaller farmers. For women, she said the opportunities are boundless.

“There are lots of resources out there available to women in agriculture — grants, programs, and job opportunities. And I believe there are more women involved in farming then there ever has been,” she said.

For any woman interested in pursuing farming, Simonson said go for it and to not let anything or anyone get in the way of achieving that farm dream.

“You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. It doesn’t matter what others may say or think,” Simonson said.