Women in Agriculture

Gr 9 Up—This short production highlights the variety of occupations that are open to women in agriculture. Each vignette features a woman entrepreneur who took a chance and found a career to suit her passion. Among the occupations detailed are beekeeper, business manager, plant pathologist, owner of a cheese line, and an agricultural activist. In these tough economic times, it is empowering to introduce students to a line of work that may not fit into the traditional direction taken by most college graduates. As one of the entrepreneurs notes, no matter what the economy brings, there will always be a demand for food. While the production's message is important, the filming techniques are outdated and might not hold the attention of teenagers. There is no live-action footage, instead slides of the entrepreneurs and the businesses they have started are paired with voice-overs. However, the excellent resource guide would make a terrific supplement to career education materials. It includes a two-page handout for each person represented in the film, providing background information and a narrative. The guide also includes dozens of quotations with thought-provoking questions for critical thinking skills. —Ellen Frank, Jamaica High School, NY