Young women encouraged to follow their career path vision

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Agriculture is essential to every person whether they recognize it or not.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of Illinois but the world around us is changing fast,” said Juliana Stratton, Illinois lieutenant governor.

“The agriculture your grandparents once recognized is long gone and we are facing new challenges and rapid developments,” Stratton said during a presentation at the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event hosted by the Illinois Agri-Women.

“Innovation like precision agriculture and automated technology, coupled with obstacles like fluctuation temperatures and rain cycles compound to create a very different landscape,” the speaker told the 550 high school and college ladies at the career exploration conference.

In addition, those involved with agriculture are dealing with changes in the global marketplace with shifting competition. “To me, this moment of transformation is the perfect climate for women to change the face of an industry,” the lieutenant governor stated.

“I know something about changing the face of spaces that have not always been inclusive,” Stratton noted. “When I was inaugurated as your lieutenant governor in 2019, I changed the face of this office by being the first black person to be elected as the Illinois lieutenant governor.”

To represent the almost 13 million people in Illinois, Stratton said, she wanted to get as close as possible to the state’s largest industry. “I’m sure there are many who never imagined this black woman from the south side of Chicago would be so excited about agriculture and the bounty our state produces,” she said. “But I wanted to understand agriculture so I could help it flourish for generations to come.”

In 2022, Stratton’s office launched an Ag Connects Us All initiative. “Our goal is to promote educational and career pathways for underrepresented groups in agriculture while also expanding access to fresh, nutrient-dense and culturally-relevant food,” she explained.

A critical part of the initiative is helping people understand the interconnections of the world, the speaker said. “When you care for your land, you see firsthand how climate change impacts humanity and when you use ethnical farming practices, you further innovation,” she added.

“When you harvest your crops, you address food insecurity and hunger,” Stratton stated. “When you come together in community like we are today, you bridge the urban-rural divide.”

To overcome future challenges, the speaker said, the country needs voices of students like the young ladies attending the annual WCFA event. “When you envision your career, I want you to think big and I don’t want your dreams to be swept aside because someone couldn’t see your vision,” she stressed.

One of Stratton’s four daughters had the desire to become a farmer. “Because I was never connected to the land farmed by my ancestors, I felt that she needed a new dream and she needed to find something a little more within her reach,” the speaker said.

“I steered her to another path that in my mind seemed to be more realistic,” Stratton said. “But truthfully it wasn’t the best path for my daughter’s dreams and at some point she had to decide to do what was best for her even if it was hard and different from what per parents imagined.”

Now, Stratton’s daughter is an urban farmer in Chicago. “In so many ways, she, too, is changing the face of agriculture,” the speaker stated.

“A lot of times, people don’t see your vision because that vision wasn’t given to them — it was given to you and you must protect it,” the lieutenant governor stressed.

“There are a lot of people that when they think of agriculture, their imagination only takes them as far as seeing a man,” Stratton said. “For others, all they can see is you wearing overalls and sitting on a tractor.”

Although there is nothing wrong with that image, Stratton stressed, there’s so many ways young women can contribute to the agricultural industry. “You can put your hands in the soil and spend your days outside or you can work in ag law, marketing, business management, technology, tourism, communications and so much more,” she added.

“You are sisters in agriculture so lean on each and look out for one another,” the speaker advised. “Make space for more to follow because I’ve never been content with just knowing I was the first; my job is to make sure we open the door so there can be many more.

“When you change the face of a field, you become what will inspire the next generation,” the lieutenant governor said. “You honor the strong women who came before you and you create opportunities for the ones that will come after.”

March is Women’s History Month. “Although you are young, you are already history makers and your contributions will infuse new life into this industry,” the speaker stressed. “Through your skill, compassion and persistence, you will help other women visualize themselves in this arena and you will bring your strength, sensitivity and spirit of collaboration to make this industry better than it’s ever been before.”

Stratton encouraged the young women to rely on each other. “Changing the face of an industry especially when it’s male dominated is never easy and sometimes it can feel lonely,” she said. “But it’s always easier when you recognize you are not alone.”

Each lady, Stratton said, should show up as her authentic self because everyone else is taken. “The goal of changing the face of agriculture is not to do what the men do,” she stressed. “This is an opportunity to show what you bring to the table that’s different with a new perspective or way of doing things.

“This building is filled with women who want to take that next step with all of you including me,” the lieutenant governor stated. “You deserve to be here and I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next in the world.”

For more information about the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture, go to: www.womenchangingthefaceofagriculture.com.