Queer Farmers Are Working to Transform Our Food
Not all US farmers fit into the stereotype of an old white man in flannel and overalls. There is a growing queer agricultural contingent seeking increased inclusivity and community. LGBTQ+ farmers challenge historical barriers in agriculture, while also leading the way in envisioning (and bringing to fruition) a more equitable and sustainable farming future, where anyone can grow healthy food. So that's what I did. I left, and I moved away for eight years.
Queering the Family Farm
Farm work is hard work—made harder for women and LGBTQ+ farmers who face even more barriers and hardships in the climate crisis. She was one year into cooperatively owning her own land, alongside her business partner Emily Fagan, and there was hardly another queer in sight. The people of Decorah, Iowa population: 7, were welcoming, sure, but traditionally heteronormative meaning treating heterosexuality as the norm. “Nature doesn't care if you're gay or straight”
Gay farmers have existed since the beginning of time, but the community is still under-resourced and lacking in representation. This is an effort to bring equity and inclusion for diverse people throughout our communities and industry. Learn more here. How queer farmers are impacted by Tractor Supply's DEI cuts
Adalja is part of a generation of young, queer farmers of color working to transform farming communities — with odds often stacked against them. Soon after their first farming experience, Adalja left New York and moved to Santa Cruz, California, to do a farming apprenticeship. Picture a farmer. Are you seeing a gruff white man steering his tractor between perfectly aligned Iowa corn rows? 
Farming While Queer
A paper titled “Queer Farmers in the US Census of Agriculture”, for example, presents research that “suggests queer farmers are both more prevalent than expected and different from other farmers in significant ways.” But in what ways are queer farmers different than their straight, cis counterparts?. They hang strings of pride flags and sell rainbow stickers to help pay for gender-affirming care, like hormone replacement therapy, for Eve. Sometimes, when parents and their teenagers pass the booth, the adults glance, then speed ahead.
LGBTQ Farmers and Organizations Queering Agriculture
Shannon and Eve Mingalone avow that their farmers market booth is “very gay.” They hang strings of pride flags and sell rainbow stickers to help pay for gender-affirming care, like hormone. .
Pride In Agriculture
About Us Launched in June , Pride in Agriculture strives to improve visibility and awareness of LGBTQ+ people in agriculture and rural communities. This is an effort to bring equity and inclusion for diverse people throughout our communities and industry. Learn more here. . Spotlight on the Queer Farmers Reimagining American
There aren’t any definite numbers about how many farmers belong to the LGBTQ community in the U.S, but many are making a point to become more visible in their rural communities. .