While evidence of women’s struggles in the agriculture sector became painfully obviously over the duration of my trip to India, the overwhelming sentiment from that journey was one of inspiration. In India, a country notorious for gender inequity, women are banding together to save their communities from the threat of genetically modified seed and poisonous fertilizers. They are building coalitions based on the ancient wisdom of seed saving and gentle farming techniques. Together with the visionary men in their region, they are reclaiming the farming profession with pride and hope. Their efforts reflect the huge growth of the global organic agriculture movement. With each new small farm, community food project, and food security initiative, we are advancing in our urgent fight for a healthy, stable planet. Step by step, we are helping to restore agriculture as a promising symbol of hope for a sustainable global future. Women are embracing their roles as critical leaders in this mission, and our combined power leaves compelling reason to believe in enormous positive change for the future of food on our planet.
Corinne Almquist grows food and coordinates a gleaning program in Addison County, VT, salvaging surplus produce from local farms for low income families. She has been working on various farms since graduating from Middlebury College in 2009.