WC's Female Ag Students Changing Society's Perception of Male-Dominated Industry
Seventy percent of the 215 students studying agriculture at Wilmington College are female. That number is indicative of the ever-growing role women are playing in all areas of one of the nation's most important industries.
That dynamic is celebrated at Wilmington College each year with a special program hosted exclusively for female students known as Women in Ag. The Nov. 4 program featured three WC agriculture alumni — all women — discussing their careers and encouraging the students to aspire to greatness.
Shelby Fite, Class of 2015, addressed the perception in areas of society that agriculture will always be a male-dominated industry. "Nowhere in the universe it is written that a woman can’t hold a title or position that is viewed as a man’s role," she said. "As women, we’ve got to do something and focus on all the reasons why we can do that thing!"
She noted females bring special perspectives and attributes to the industry. "I have found that women in the ag industry are more empathetic, better listeners and will follow up more often."
Greta Gray, Class of 1993, expressed her excitement to “share her story with the ladies this evening.” Gray stressed the importance of “having the mentality to always want to learn and experience more" as vital to success, while Ali Dixon, a newly minted alumnus from the 2021 graduating class, expressed her excitement to "venture back to WC and share my passion for the ag industry with these wonderful young ladies.”
Women in Agriculture was founded in part by the late Tammy Dobbels ‘92 as a means for current female students to learn from WC alumni about the opportunities, challenges and rewards they've experienced, both while students and in their careers, according to Dr. Chad McKay, assistant professor of agriculture and program/farm finance director.
McKay noted the department is hosting 152 female agriculture students this fall — that's 70 percent of the enrollment in WC's largest academic program. "I find that amazing to have an overwhelming majority female enrollment in a male-dominated industry," he said. "It is promising for these young ladies in the department to see enrollment numbers like that — all of them should be proud in the strides that they are making."
