Women have played a key role in agriculture for centuries despite it being a largely male-dominated industry. In recent times, women have started stepping forward as leaders in this sector and are paving the way for others to follow. As an agriculture-focused company consisting predominantly of women, SI EQ is proud of the place women fill in the ag sector. Take a moment to step into the lives of a couple of our very own farm-fresh agriculturalists. 

Our Home Grown Agriculturalists

Shaelyn Goecke

Content Producer & Account Manager

“My love for agriculture was planted at a very young age. Growing up on a farm and with a family that embraced working the land, I was taught that farming was something both men and women could do. Working in the agriculture industry and on John Deere tractors is something I have always been proud of. Being raised on a hay farm taught me that to make it in this industry, you have to have grit and drive. Nothing is going to be handed to you, unless it’s another task, and there are always plenty more where that came from.

Summers often consisted of late nights in the field and early morning hay deliveries. As you can imagine, people weren’t expecting to see girls throwing hay, so my sister and I were often on the receiving end of comments and intrigued gazes, to which we frequently countered with an invitation to help do the heavy lifting instead of sitting back and watching us. Moments like that spurred a desire in me to work even harder and prove my place in the industry.

The biggest obstacle I’ve faced was when it came to applying for jobs. I felt like my resume was in some way lacking compared to others because mine wasn’t filled with part-time jobs since my ‘spare’ time was spent working on the farm. I have always been proud of being raised a farm girl but I feared employers wouldn’t understand what that really entailed. When I got a job at SI EQ, it felt like the stars were aligning because I was getting the opportunity to work with a company centered around providing those in the ag industry what they need to thrive. It’s great to work with a team that values the knowledge and experience I have from working hands-on in the agriculture world.

A key to being successful in the ag industry as a woman is knowing your stuff and being willing to put in the work. If you want people to take you seriously, you have to prove you can pull your own weight and aren’t a pushover. Growing up doing manual labor on the farm taught me a lot about persevering and working hard for what I wanted. Ever been 300 bales deep into a load of hay and still had 50 more to go? Or still had stacks of hay on the ground that need to be picked up before the  dew comes in and it’s already 10 o’clock at night and you can see moisture beads on the grass? If not, here’s a little insight: you're exhausted, stressed, and it feels like it’s never going to be over, but it will be soon if you just keep going.”

Tori Weaver

Director of Agribusiness

"I think being raised in agriculture allows for a different viewpoint. Although there are stereotypes along the way, as a woman in Ag you see yourself as being part of the bigger picture. Raised on a farm in central Michigan, I had the honor of late nights and early mornings in the barn with livestock. My father was an Ag Teacher & FFA Advisor, so when I wasn’t in the barn, I was in the classroom, working on prepared public speaking and soil judging practice.

When heading into college I knew ag was the path for me, but that is too broad for a career at the end of 4 years. When you are a part of ag you learn everything from animal husbandry to soil health to environmental health. I loved design, drawing, and the marketing component to agriculture, therefore my career has welded my love for agriculture and my love for creating & educating. I get to work with Equipment dealers and agriculturists to create brands and marketing that feeds into the industry I care so much about.

Agriculture has grown into every piece of my life. From my first lambs at 4, to marrying my farmer who I met getting scholarships at Michigan Shepherd’s Weekend, to owning my own farm. I am proud to say that I get to work and play in an industry that puts food on people’s tables.

At the end of every day, I head back outside to my own empire. My husband and I have 150+ sheep on a 300-acre farm that is on 10th generation property. I get to work with numerous 4H & FFA kids on showing animals at the county fair and learning to care for the industry just as I learned. My love will always be for these animals and the land.

Being raised in the agriculture industry has taught me to take chances and be a part of the change you want to see. Women in agriculture have a bright future, whether you came from agriculture or found a love for it along the way. As E.M. Tiffany said, “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words, but of deeds.”’

Future of Women in Agriculture

The future is bright for women wanting to be active in the ag industry. There are numerous ways to be involved whether it’s through physical agriculture activities or by being involved in an ag service company. While these are just a couple women’s stories, there are many more like them, and many more yet to be lived.