Spotlight: Women Leading the Urban Ag Movement

Meet the inspiring women who are transforming cities through sustainable agriculture and discover how female leadership is reshaping the future of food.

The Female Farming Revolution

While agriculture has traditionally been male-dominated, women are leading the charge in urban farming and sustainable agriculture innovation.

Breaking Barriers

Historical Context

- Women perform 43% of agricultural work globally

- Own less than 20% of farmland worldwide

- Urban farming offers new opportunities for female leadership

Why Urban Ag Appeals to Women

- **Flexibility**: Balances family and business responsibilities

- **Innovation**: Embraces new technologies and methods

- **Community Focus**: Addresses food justice and accessibility

- **Sustainability**: Aligns with environmental values

Inspiring Female Urban Farmers

Detroit's Urban Farming Queens

Detroit has become a hotbed for female-led urban agriculture:

- **Jerrika Mighels**: Transformed vacant lots into productive farms

- **Ashley Atkinson**: Founded Keep Growing Detroit

- **Tepfirah Rushdan**: Leads the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm

Brooklyn's Rising Stars

Our own borough is home to amazing female farmers:

- **Charlotte Johnson**: Founder of Charlotte's Farms (that's us!)

- **Tasha Edwards**: Bedford-Stuyvesant community gardens

- **Maria Santos**: Bushwick rooftop farming collective

The Charlotte's Farms Story

Our Female-Led Team

- **Charlotte**: Founder and head farmer with environmental science background

- **Maya**: Operations manager focused on community building

- **Elena**: Sustainability coordinator with urban planning expertise

Our Mission

We're proving that women can:

- Build profitable farming businesses

- Lead environmental innovation

- Create lasting community impact

- Inspire the next generation

Challenges We've Overcome

Access to Capital

Female entrepreneurs receive only 2% of venture capital funding. We've addressed this through:

- Community-supported agriculture

- Crowdfunding campaigns

- Local partnership development

- Grant applications focused on women-led businesses

Technical Knowledge

We've built expertise through:

- Formal education and training

- Mentorship from experienced farmers

- Trial and error experimentation

- Knowledge sharing with other female farmers

Physical Demands

Urban farming requires physical strength, but smart design helps:

- Ergonomic tool selection

- Efficient farm layout

- Team-based heavy lifting

- Technology for monitoring and automation

Supporting Women in Agriculture

What You Can Do

- **Buy from female farmers**: Support women-led agricultural businesses

- **Volunteer with local farms**: Many are woman-owned and operated

- **Advocate for policy changes**: Support legislation helping female farmers

- **Share stories**: Amplify women's voices in agriculture

Resources for Aspiring Female Farmers

- Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN)

- National Young Farmers Coalition

- Local extension programs

- Female farmer mentorship networks

The Future is Female (and Fresh)

Women are uniquely positioned to lead the transformation of our food system. We bring:

- **Collaborative leadership** styles

- **Environmental consciousness**

- **Community-centered approaches**

- **Innovation and adaptability**

At Charlotte's Farms, we're proud to be part of this movement and excited to mentor the next generation of female urban farmers.

Together, we're not just growing food—we're growing a more equitable, sustainable future for everyone.