A recent study from the University of Georgia finds new stressors for women married to male farmers.
The study included six focus groups with more than two dozen women married to farmers in Georgia.
In the study, women in farming were described as an “understudied” and “vulnerable” population, examining women directly and indirectly affected by agricultural work. Many stressors fall under 5 major categories: “everything-but-farming,” farming work, managing emotions, being misunderstood and lonely, and coping.
Many women describe their day-to-day tasks as independently managing the household, childcare, and even working on the farm. Stress from managing finances for the farm was found in over half of the women in the study.
The study listed coping strategies for women in farming families, including faith and finding time for self-care. It also noted the use of extension services like peer support and counseling.
