According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Farm Census from 2022, there are 1.2 million female farmers, which makes up 36% of the country’s producers. More than half of all farms had a female producer, and farms with one or more female producers accounted for 41% of U.S. agriculture sales and 46% of U.S. farmland. About one third of farmers in Indiana are women, touching over 28,000 farms equating to over 5.7 million acres of land in the state.
A woman in ag doesn’t just mean they work on the farm. Many women work in agribusiness, ag education or use their voice to raise awareness for agriculture. There are agriculture organizations that have programs specifically tailored to women, including Indiana Farm Bureau and its Women’s Leadership Committee, which is dedicated to educating the public through programs and events. These activities provide women with a platform for leadership, political involvement and networking.
In Jackson County, Jacquelyn Jasinski is part of a sixth-generation farm family in Jackson County. She and her three siblings grew up on the farm, producing corn, soybeans and cattle, and participating in 4-H. As she and her brother and sisters grew up, her dad, who previously grew watermelons, proposed the idea of getting back into produce.
“My parents told all four of us that we would need to pay for our own college, but they had an idea to help us out,” said Jasinski. “They offered to give us their little garage on the side of State Road 135 in Vallonia, and turn it into a farm market. We had to fix it up and raise the produce to make money for college.
“From there, Hackman Family Farm Market was born. It really showed the importance of responsibility and working hard to accomplish something.”
Jasinski attended Purdue University, studying agriculture economics, and held jobs in corporate agriculture for a few years before deciding to come back to the farm full time as the wholesale watermelon business was growing. Jasinski ran three market locations located in Jackson and Washington counties, her sister led the wholesale watermelon business, and her brother, father and husband operated the farm.
Then in 2022, a new idea was born. Hackman Family Farm Market expanded into a vegetable home delivery subscription service – Veg2Table, which features fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and seasonings.
“What does the future look like for rural ag and food, especially when we are located in a food desert and people don’t have a lot of access to what they are looking for?” asked Jasinski. “Veg2Table answers that question. Everything that goes into our boxes is 100% locally grown by farmers that we know and trust.
“It has been quite a hit. We had 120 subscriptions in the first year. It was a great accomplishment to see that come to fruition. I’m very proud of it.”
Customers can choose between a five- or 10-week subscription, which includes produce like watermelons, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn and more from Hackman Family Farm Market, as well as leafy greens, herbs, grapes, peaches, apples, carrots, garlic and onions from other local producers in southeastern Indiana. Free home delivery is available for customers in Jackson County and pick-up spots are available in Sellersburg, Vallonia and Columbus. The Veg2Table subscription is delivered every week beginning in June.
The Hackman family decided to close the three brick-and-mortar locations to concentrate on Veg2Table and wholesale watermelons, which you may find in Kroger, Costco and other groceries. They also operate their corn and soybean farm, as well as produce butcher beef for neighbors and friends.
Jasinski serves on the Jackson County Council and is a member of Jackson County Farm Bureau. She loves being able to work with her family and husband daily, as well as getting to spend time with her two young boys, who love to help out on the farm too. She appreciates how both men and women can work on the farm and be present parents.
“It used to be if you worked on the farm, you were a farm wife bringing lunch to the field and taking care of the kids,” explained Jasinski. “I do those things, but I also drive the grain cart, and there are some nights that I’m in the field setting watermelons or packing Veg2Table bags, so my husband will put the kids to bed. Roles are changing – both men and women want to work, but also be there for their kids. It’s all about supporting each other.”