AgricultHER Series | Stories of Women in Ag
AgricultHER Robin Harlow
Meet our November feautre! Robin Harlow is the co-owner of Harlow Club Lambs in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, where she and her family raise show lambs for 4-H and FFA kids. She is also the Director of Sales at Tyson Foods.
AgricultHER Sheila Martin
Our October feature is Sheila Martin from Velvet Ridge, Arkansas. She owns Martin's Poultry Farm, where she raises broilers. Today she introduces herself and talks about her childhood in agriculture.
AgricultHER Dr. Natalie McDonald
Meet Dr. Natalie McDonald, veterinarian and co-owner of Honey Hill Animal Hospital in Searcy, Arkansas, and our September feature!
In her video series, Dr. McDonald shares how growing up on a cattle operation inspired her journey into veterinary medicine, a path further shaped by her involvement in FFA. She reflects on her studies at Arkansas State and LSU and describes her early career with the USDA, where she managed international livestock exports to destinations like Kazakhstan and China. Stay tuned to learn more about her family and story!
AgricultHER Lauren DeSisso
Meet our August AgricultHER, Lauren DeSisso, owner of Rose Ridge Farm in McRae, Arkansas, where she cultivates beautiful English garden roses.
Lauren’s love for roses started with visits to her great-aunt’s Victorian house, sparking her dream of growing roses around her own Victorian-style home. Her journey includes raising animals and facing tough challenges—from winters in a camper to launching her farm amid the pandemic. She now markets her high-quality roses to clients who appreciate their unique blooms.
In her series, Lauren shares the joys and struggles of farm life and offers advice for other women interested in agriculture.
AgricultHER Casandra Cox
Meet Casandra Cox, our July feature and an assistant professor of agricultural communications and leadership at the University of Arkansas.
Casandra’s love for agriculture began in childhood through equine activities and 4-H, where she gained life skills in teamwork, public speaking, and perseverance. Though she didn’t initially plan on teaching, she found her passion at the University of Arkansas, where she now teaches, researches, and mentors students in agriculture.
Throughout her series, Casandra shares how agriculture shaped her career and personal life, the decision to step away from production for family time, and her pride in the industry. She also highlights her students’ research on the challenges women face in agriculture, a topic close to her heart.
AgricultHER Jennifer James
Meet Jennifer James, owner of H&J Land Company and Delta Soy LLC in Auvergne, Arkansas, where her family grows Natto soybeans, rice, corn, and more.
In her video series, Jennifer reflects on her journey into agriculture, influenced by her childhood and the strong support of her father, who encouraged her path as a female farmer. Now, with her husband and son working alongside her, she’s proud to see the love of farming span three generations.
Jennifer also discusses the complexities of making decisions in a family-run operation, her advocacy work with USA Rice, and a career decision that shaped her growth as a farmer. In her final video, she shares both the challenges and rewards of the agricultural lifestyle and offers advice to other women in the industry.
AgricultHER - Dana Stewart
Meet Dana Stewart, a sixth-generation cattle rancher in White County, Arkansas, where she and her family raise Hereford, Gelbvieh, Balancer cattle, and market goats. A dedicated advocate for agriculture, Dana serves on the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation’s state board.
Through her video series, Dana reflects on her family’s deep roots in ranching, sharing memories of her grandpa and the values she hopes to pass on to her children. She also speaks about the impact of her FFA and college Agri Club experiences, her love for community service, and how farm life teaches her kids lessons they couldn’t learn elsewhere.
Dana wraps up her series with insights on advocating for agriculture and the unique challenges and rewards of ranch life, offering encouragement to other women in the field.
AgricultHER Janee Parker
Meet Janeé Parker, a food technologist at McKee Foods and a passionate cattle farmer. By day, she ensures the safety and quality of popular food products like Little Debbie and Sunbelt; by night, she’s raising high-quality beef cattle.
In her video series, Janeé reflects on how her journey began in 4-H, where she developed leadership skills, a love for agriculture, and a path to studying food science at the University of Arkansas. She talks about balancing her career with her agricultural roots and how she and her husband aim to pass down these values to their daughter.
Through involvement in agricultural organizations, Janeé finds camaraderie and shares both the challenges and joys of the ag lifestyle. She closes her series by encouraging young women interested in agriculture, reflecting on her experience as a mother and role model in the industry.
AgricultHER Feature Sarah Bramall
AgricultHER Feature Gina Hampton
Gina Hampton, co-owner of Hampton Pro Rodeo in Springdale, Arkansas, shares her journey in the rodeo industry. Growing up with animals, Gina’s love for horses led her to compete in high school and college rodeo.
She talks about how Hampton Pro Rodeo started and her role as the business's rodeo secretary. Now, Gina raises her sons in the stock contracting world, passing down the family’s passion for rodeo.
In the final video, she shares her daily duties on the ranch and offers advice to young women interested in agriculture.
AgricultHER Feature Megan Caldwell
Megan Caldwell, a University of Arkansas Animal Science grad, helps manage Union Rock Cattle Company with her husband and family, overseeing 3,000 head of cattle.
Though she didn’t grow up in agriculture, Megan found her passion in equine during college. She shares how sports and an animal science class led her into the industry. Megan now balances ranch life, cattle work, and raising three boys.
She’s also an accomplished rider, having competed at the National Finals Rodeo and taken up Roman riding, where she stands on two horses’ backs. Megan’s final video reflects on her biggest ranch challenges, rewarding moments, and advice for future women in ag.
AgricultHER Feature Jalyn Smith
Jalyn Smith, owner of JMS Cattle Company, is a young trailblazer in agriculture.
She started showing cattle at just two years old, growing her passion for the Braunvieh breed with her father’s help on her first set of cattle. Since then, Jalyn has worked hard to build her own company. She shares the rewards and challenges of raising cattle and talks about the unique qualities of the Braunvieh breed, including a favorite cow, Little Bit.
In her final video, Jalyn reflects on being a young woman in agriculture, giving advice to others interested in following a similar path.
AgricultHER Feature Karon Reynolds
Karon Reynolds co-owns Pin Oak Club Lambs with her husband, Mike, combining her lifelong roots in agriculture with a newfound passion for sheep.
Karon shares how Pin Oak Club Lambs began and what led her to the sheep business later in life. By day, she works as an ER nurse at Conway Regional Medical Center, and when she's not at the hospital or on the farm, she expresses her creativity through painting, sculpting, and baking—a talent inherited from her art teacher mother.
Mentoring kids through their showmanship programs has been her most fulfilling accomplishment, despite the challenges that come with farm life. In her final video, Karon reflects on her journey as a woman in agriculture and offers advice for women looking to pursue this rewarding but demanding lifestyle.
AgricultHER Feature Carey Robertson
Carey Robertson owns CWC Farms with her husband, Bill, where they prioritize soil health and the natural beauty of their land in Bradford, Arkansas.
Carey talks about the role her family plays on the farm, with her kids and grandkids visiting to learn about agriculture and enjoy farm life. She also shares how she and Bill split responsibilities to keep everything running smoothly.
In her final video, Carey reflects on her journey as a woman in agriculture, sharing advice for others who are interested in or already working in the field.
AgricultHER Feature Taylor Moffett
AgricultHER Feature Ouida Cossey
Ouida Cossey’s journey in agriculture began with her family’s emigration from Venezuela to the U.S. to chase the American Dream. Today, as the owner of Flying C Ranch, she runs a successful Santa Gertrudis operation, providing high-quality genetics through artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Ouida has not only built a thriving ranch but also passed down the tradition of ranching to her children and grandchildren, raising them in the agricultural lifestyle.
In addition to managing her ranch, Ouida is deeply involved in her community. She serves as the beef superintendent at the White County Fair and is an active member of the White County Cattlemen's Association board. While her greatest achievements come from her family’s success, she has also faced challenges along the way, from balancing ranching with community involvement to navigating the obstacles of being a woman in agriculture. Despite these challenges, Ouida remains optimistic about the future of Flying C Ranch.
AgricultHER Feature AJ Buffalo
AJ Buffalo-Tollett, the owner of Buffalo Cattle Company in El Paso, Arkansas, has dedicated her life to raising bucking bulls in honor of her son, Loren, who dreamed of becoming a stock contractor. Tragically, Loren passed away while serving in Afghanistan, but AJ continues to keep his memory alive through her bulls, especially her star bull, Loren's Dream (LD), named after him.
In her video series, AJ shares the ins and outs of her breeding program, the challenges of caring for her bulls, and the unique experience of raising a clone bull, 911 Alter Ego. As a female stock contractor, AJ faces hurdles in a male-dominated industry, but the work is deeply rewarding. Her ultimate goal is to be recognized for her contribution to the stock contracting world, and while there are challenges along the way, she remains passionate about her work and legacy.
AgricultHER Harriet WR Strong
Harriet Williams Strong was the primary innovator of dry land irrigation and water conservation techniques in late 19th century southern California.
AgricultHER Feature - Kathy Algood
Kathy Algood, the owner of Dripping Springs Farm, shares her journey of becoming a flower and produce farmer in Arkansas. Starting from the ground up, Kathy built her farm with hard work and determination. Despite lacking formal education in agriculture, her passion for farming drove her to reach her goals and make a successful impact on the industry.
In her video series, Kathy discusses the challenges and rewards of life on the farm, from establishing Dripping Springs Farm to managing daily operations. She also shares her vision for the future and the plans she has to continue growing her business while contributing to Arkansas agriculture.