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CapitalPress.com
Friday, January 21, 2022
People & Places
Researcher studies female farmers
By MATTHEW WEAVER
Capital Press
Established 1928
MOSCOW, Idaho —
Ryanne Pilgeram wants to
make sure women farm-
ers have ready access to the
resources they need.
But even finding the time
to answer survey questions
can be difficult for some, she
recently found.
Pilgeram conducted focus
groups with women farmers
around Idaho, including ref-
ugee farmers, last summer.
“We didn’t have very
many mothers with young
children — we had a lot who
wanted to do it and then at
the last moment, were like,
‘Oh, my kids! I can’t!’”
Pilgeram said. “So if those
are barriers to even doing
a focus group about how to
support women. ...”
Roughly 464 women
took the researchers’ survey.
The biggest needs are
access to land and funding,
specific information and
allowing women farmers to
connect with other women
farmers with the same pur-
suit, Pilgeram said.
“How can we support
these networks, but we also
know if they’re not orga-
nized by the women them-
selves, they tend to fall
apart,” Pilgeram said. “If we
organize them, they’re not
going to be as successful as
if people find each other.”
If most women are likely
to have small-scale farms,
Pilgeram wonders what bar-
riers keep them from operat-
ing larger farms and ranches.
She grew up on a cat-
tle ranch, and initially stud-
ied small-scale and conven-
tional agriculture.
“I sort of took my dis-
Capital Press Managers
Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher
Western
Innovator
RYANNE
PILGERAM
Occupation: Associate
professor of sociology,
University of Idaho
Age: 41
Hometown:
Gold Creek, Mont.
Current location:
Moscow, Idaho
Education: Ph.D. in sociol-
ogy, University of Oregon
Family: Married,
three children
Matthew Weaver/Capital Press
Ryanne Pilgeram, University of Idaho associate professor of sociology, at East City Park
in Moscow, Idaho. Pilgeram aims to increase access to resources for women farmers.
sertation research and
thought, ‘I’m going to
answer some of these
questions about women
in agriculture that I don’t
think have been answered
very effectively before,’”
Pilgeram said.
She’s in the process of
reviewing and revising var-
ious publications. UI Exten-
sion will use the information
to design training to sup-
port women farmers more
effectively.
Women-operated farms
tend to have a lower return
on investment than farms
owned by men, said Colette
DePhelps, UI Extension area
educator, who has worked
with Pilgeram on the project.
“The research she is
doing is helping us identify
how to best serve women
in agriculture in Idaho,”
DePhelps said.
Pilgeram has been con-
tacted by leaders inter-
ested in using her research
to help form national pol-
icy, DePhelps said. She also
offers Pilgeram’s name up as
a speaker for organizations.
In 2021, Pilgeram pub-
lished a book, “Pushed Out:
Contested Development and
Rural Gentrification in the
West.” The book examines
economic changes in Dover,
a rural North Idaho commu-
nity near Sandpoint, as it
transitioned from a lumber
mill economy to a recreation
economy.
“The way my brain
works, I love thinking
about problems,” she said.
“I’m always convinced
that we don’t really under-
stand problems. If we had
a better understanding of
the problem, then our solu-
tions would be much more
effective.”
Katie Dentzman, assis-
tant professor of rural policy
and rural sociology at Iowa
State University, worked
with Pilgeram as a post-
doctoral research associate
at UI, and they continue to
collaborate.
“Ryanne has a unique
capacity to think outside
of the commonly accepted
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explanations
for
why
things are the way they
are,” Dentzman said. “She
blends idealism with mat-
ter-of-fact practicality in a
way that can really shift per-
spectives and make change.
She doesn’t sugar-coat real-
ity, but she’s going to try her
best to improve it no matter
the odds.”
“She really wants her
research to be useful to mak-
ing better lives for peo-
ple and communities,”
DePhelps said. “She’s really
dedicated to the human side
of research and to the appli-
cation of research for mak-
ing women in agriculture,
women-owned businesses,
more successful.”
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Advice for farmers making succession plans
To Place Classified Ads
Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789
By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN
Capital Press
SALEM — Passing a farm
from one generation to the next
can be difficult, but succession
planning experts say there are
many resources available to farm-
ers to help them “hang up their
hats” and equip a younger gener-
ation to carry on farming.
During the Northwest Ag Show
at the Oregon State Fairgrounds last
week, a group of experts convened to
give farmers succession advice.
“There are so many different
things involved in succession plan-
ning. It’s not just a will and trust,”
said Nellie McAdams, executive
director of Oregon Agricultural Trust.
“It can sort of seem like unraveling a
ball of yarn and not knowing where
the end is.”
According to McAdams, 81% of
farmers don’t have a succession plan.
So, how can farmers become better
prepared?
Diana Tourney, an accountant who
runs workshops through Clackamas
Community College’s Small Busi-
areas where they’re willing to
compromise.
It’s important too, Tourney
said, to work with appraisers and
know what your land is worth.
Tourney also encourages
farmers to create clear goals,
Diana
Molly
Nellie
know changing tax laws and
Tourney
McCargar
McAdams
work with professionals, includ-
ing an agricultural attorney,
ness Development Center, offered accountant and banker.
several pieces of advice.
Molly McCargar, who grows hun-
First, she said, farmers should dreds of acres of broccoli, beans,
know their options. There isn’t a cauliflower, squash, cherries, hops
one-size-fits-all succession plan. For and grass seed at Pearmine Farms,
some farmers, the best option may a fourth-generation family farm in
be to transfer their land to direct Gervais, Ore., also shared advice
heirs. Other farmers may choose to on succession planning from her
transfer land to non-relations. Yet experiences.
McCargar said one of the most
others may choose a conservation
valuable things she learned is to work
easement.
It’s important to have conversa- with a family counselor or licensed
tions with potential successors early therapist during succession planning
on, said Tourney. Are those succes- to avoid family fallouts. McCargar
sors competent yet? If they’re not said she has seen families torn apart
ready, what needs to change?
while making succession plans. She
“It’s important to know the family believes going to counseling with
dynamics,” said Tourney.
her relatives saved her family a lot of
Tourney said farmers should out- heartache.
line their non-negotiables versus
McCargar’s family also set up a
group of advisers — including the
then-CEO of Wilco and the leader of
a cherry association — to meet with
her family once a quarter for break-
fast to exchange ideas.
“It’s good to have outside voices
who don’t have a stake in the farm
but understand your industry,” she
said.
She said it’s wise to start the plan-
ning process years in advance. She
and her brother, who now run the
farm, started talking with their rel-
atives about the succession plan
around 2005, and it wasn’t final-
ized until about 2011. Now, McCar-
gar is already thinking about the next
generation.
McAdams, of the Oregon Agri-
cultural Trust, said farmers who don’t
have a successor can still keep their
farmland in agriculture. The tool she
recommends is called a working land
conservation easement, a voluntary
private contract between a landowner
and a land trust or conservation dis-
trict. Farmers benefit through cash
payments or tax breaks and know
their land will be protected for future
agricultural use.
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CALENDAR
Letters to the Editor: Send your
comments on agriculture-related public
Submit upcoming ag-related events on
www.capitalpress.com or by email to news-
room@capitalpress.com.
FRIDAY, JAN. 21
SAIF Agri-Business Banquet: 6-9 p.m.
Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial
St. SE, Salem. The SAIF Agri-Business Ban-
quet is a celebration of the agricultural com-
munity and its impact on the mid-Willamette
Valley. This rich and proud history is honored
through special entertainment with a mes-
sage. The speaker will be Terry Tymchuck from
the Oregon Historical Society. We will also rec-
ognize an outstanding FFA student for lead-
ership in shaping the future of the industry.
Contact: 503-581-1466 Website: https://bit.
ly/3sJlPsS
SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY
JAN. 23-26
Dairy Forum 2022: J.W. Marriott Desert
Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif. Pre-
sented by International Dairy Foods Associa-
tion, the forum will feature what’s new, now
and next for dairy foods. Website: www.idfa.
org
THURSDAY, JAN. 27
USBI Biochar in the Woods Seminar
(online): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. At the day-long, online
seminar and the following field day events in
Butte County, Calif. (free), you will learn how
to make and use biochar onsite to increase
the water holding capacity and resilience of
forest soils. Website: https://bit.ly/3q1Ejli
Uses and Benefits of Collabora-
tive Robots in Manufacturing (online):
10-11 a.m. Is your manufacturing facility
undergoing a workforce shortage? Attracting,
hiring, and keeping workers is one of today’s
key workforce challenges. In this free webi-
nar, we will discuss how collaborative robotics
may be able to help. We will include demon-
strations and examples of cobots. Website:
https://techhelp.regfox.com/20221robotics
TUESDAY-THURSDAY
FEB. 1-3
Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA
Trade Show: George R. Brown Convention
Center, Houston, Texas. The convention will
include industry speakers and educational
events. Website: http://www.ncba.org
TUESDAY-THURSDAY
FEB. 8-10
World Ag Expo: 9 a.m. International
Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare, Calif.
One of the world’s largest ag shows returns
this year to Tulare, Calif. With hundreds of
exhibitors, presentations, seminars and other
events, the World Ag Expo attracts attend-
ees from around the nation — and the world.
Website: http://www.WorldAgExpo.org
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9
Intro to Hazard Analysis Critical Con-
trol Points: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points (HACCP) is an interna-
tionally recognized method of identifying
and managing food safety-related risk. Par-
ticipants will receive an International HACCP
Alliance seal and certificate. Website: https://
techhelp.regfox.com/introhaccp2022
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY
FEB. 9-12
Organic Seed Growers Conference: Ore-
gon State University Campus. The Organic
Seed Growers Conference is the largest event
focused solely on organic seed in North
America, bringing together hundreds of farm-
ers, plant breeders, researchers, certifiers,
food companies, seed companies, and oth-
ers from across the U.S. and around the world.
Farm tours and short courses are held prior to
the full two-day conference. Website: https://
seedalliance.org/
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
FEB. 18-19
Oregon State University Small Farms
Conference (online): Everything you ever
wanted to know about succeeding as a small-
scale farmer. Website: https://bit.ly/3IA8jx9
THURSDAY, FEB. 24
Virtual classes for pesticide applica-
tors (online): 8 a.m.-noon. There will be vir-
tual classes for pesticide applicators’ recer-
tification, offered by Oregon OSHA and the
Oregon Farm Bureau Health & Safety Com-
mittee. The virtual training will provide con-
tinuing education credits for any pesticide
applicator licensed in Oregon. Participants
will receive pesticide recertification CORE
credits to maintain an applicator’s license.
The four CORE credit hours provided are
approved by the Oregon Dept. of Agricul-
ture’s “Worker Protection Standard: What
You Should Know.” Website: http://www.Ore-
gonFB.org/pesticideclass
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
FEB. 24-25
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum
(virtual): The forum will include more than
30 breakout sessions on climate, innova-
tion, trade, commodity outlooks and supply
chains. Website: https://www.usda.gov/oce/
ag-outlook-forum
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
MARCH 8-9
Oregon Wine Symposium 2022: Oregon
Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King
Jr. Blvd., Portland. The Oregon Winegrowers
Association will host an in-person event and
trade show March 8-9 at the Oregon Con-
vention Center. The live event attracts indus-
try owners, directors, academics, winemak-
ers, viticulturists, and sales and marketing
professionals. Website: https://www.oregon-
winesymposiumlive.com/
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 17-20
Oregon FFA State Convention:
Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, 3800
SW Airport Way, Redmond, Ore. Oregon FFA
members from around the state will gather
to compete and to learn during their annual
convention in Redmond. Website: https://ore-
gonffa.com/state-convention/
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Index
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 26-27
Markets .................................................10
Central Oregon Agricultural Show:
9 a.m. Deschutes County Fair and Expo Cen-
ter, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, Ore.
Welcome to the first-ever Central Oregon
Agricultural Show, featuring exhibitors, pre-
sentations, seminars and more. See you in
Redmond! Website: https://northwestagshow.
com/ Phone: 800-882-6789
Correction policy
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Legislative Conference. 5:30-8:30 p.m. J.W.
Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C. The confer-
ence will focus on federal policy. Website:
www.ncba.org
Opinion ...................................................6
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