NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. WCSC – South Carolina farmers and agricultural leaders convened to advocate for equity within the female agriculture industry at a roundtable brunch hosted by the National Women in Agriculture Association NWIAA on Friday afternoon in North Charleston.
The NWIAA, a nonprofit organization based in Oklahoma City with chapters across the United States, aims to educate women and youth about agriculture and sustainable opportunities in the field. The organization also provides resources, including free fresh produce from their community garden.
Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, founder and director of the NWIAA, is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities and resources for women farmers and future generations, particularly in underserved communities.
She has been visiting various states to raise awareness and aims to engage President Joe Biden and his administration about issues like poverty and food insecurity affecting minority communities.
When you have an organization like ours with chapters nationwide, we are the largest and continue to grow because women are seeking assistance, equity, and resources to sustain their farms, Gray-Steele stated.
One of her significant goals is to gain support from President Biden for the NWIAA to become the first Black congressionally chartered organization. Achieving this charter would enable the association to secure sustainable federal funding. This is a crucial step toward equity. Without being chartered, true equity will remain out of reach, she explained.
An executive order from the President could initiate this process, sending it back to Congress for a vote, creating historic opportunities for women and children.
Gray-Steele also highlighted the introduction of the Empowering Women in Agriculture Act to the U.S. House as a significant milestone for the organization. She noted that funding in the predominantly male agriculture industry is often allocated to other groups, making it essential to secure designated funds for minority women farmers in the upcoming farm bill.
Local farmer Yvonne Knight Carter, who has been tree farming for years, shared her experience as a woman in agriculture. It’s a learning curve. You can’t do it all yourself, so finding reliable help is crucial, Carter remarked.
Gray-Steele is optimistic about gaining support from South Carolina leaders, specifically reaching out to Congressman Jim Clyburn to help facilitate a meeting with President Biden.