Women in Agriculture
Agriculture touches our lives every day- whether actively farming and ranching, on the corporate side of production, or shopping at the grocery store- and women leaders play an increasingly pivotal role across the board.
The number of farms operated by women has more than doubled since 1978. Across the country, nearly 300,000 women serve as principal operators on 62.7 million acres of farm and ranchland. Countless more women live, work, and raise families in rural America.
The image has changed for what the role of women in agriculture looks like. Going from no role, to a support role, to a time where women now hold leadership positions, and other positions of power, throughout the industry, the efforts for this movement will continue throughout the industry, as women are given the opportunity to lead in an industry mainly dominated by men.
Women in Ag at CSB
Women in Agriculture has always been a topic of conversation with a majority of our staff being female, and many of them with ties to the agriculture industry. Currently on staff we have several farmers’ daughters, wives of salesmen in the industry, the milk hauler’s wife, and countless women who were born and raised in rural America. While some ties may be more obvious than others, the women at CSB know and appreciate the agriculture industry as a whole.
In the past two years we have welcomed both Kenzie Holste and Kara Durward as our newest Ag Bankers. From operating lines, to CDs and checking accounts, these women are not only dominate in the banking industry, but they both operate family farms as well.
“I think it is important to show people that, as Women in Ag, we not only can help with the numbers on the paper, but we also love every opportunity to see your operation and take a ride in the combine. Talking yield, ground work practices, and seed varieties isn’t a foreign language to us. Our current customers know this, and we hope our future customers do not see the gender role as a reason of hesitation when looking for a new Ag Banker.”
~ Kenzie Holste, Ag & Commercial Banker
Both women are also mothers of the next generation of family farmers. True testaments to the struggles and strength of a woman in Ag: balancing family, farming, and a successful career.
Kenzie and Kara sat down with WCCI for a segment on Women in Ag as part of our Buzz on Banking radio series. Be sure to give it a listen as they touch on different struggles and the importance of connection as Women in Ag. See the recording below:
November 15th Buzz on Banking: Women in Ag with Kenzie Holste and Kara Durward
If you are a woman in the agriculture industry, we support and applaud your work, and hope you see us as a resource throughout your journey!
