Women's Roles in Production and Processing in Pennsylvania

There are an estimated 31,135 women in Pennsylvania who are farm managers and workers (Farm Flavor, 2024). Of these women, 4,227 are under age 35 — helping Pennsylvania rank first in the U.S. for young agricultural producers. Women producers in Pennsylvania predominate in dairy and other animals, such as chickens and beekeeping. Along with their role in managing the farms, women are often involved in processing related products for local niche markets. Flower production and sale is dominated by women.

The highest concentrations of women producers are located near major urban markets, especially in Philadelphia and Delaware counties, and they frequently process their products for the urban markets. Enterprises that process food in their own home are often referred to as the "cottage food industry." These foods are produced in the home and sold directly to consumers. In a recent survey across 22 states, 83% of cottage food producers were women (McDonald, 2017). Women dominate this field, yet barriers to entry include a lack of understanding of current food regulations. Extension can reduce this barrier by providing access to this important information in an easy-to-understand format. 

Over 60% of vegetable farmers in Pennsylvania are plain sect growers. Plain sect women often manage, harvest, and sell the vegetables and are dominant in greenhouse plant production and in kitchen gardens. On dairy farms, they do work such as caring for calves and milking; they are also active in poultry farming. Plain sect women often run micro-enterprises from home, including those involving food processing. Micro-enterprises are small firms with typically fewer than 10 employees (The Investopedia Team, 2026). They transform agricultural products into products such as baked goods, preserves, cheeses, etc. 

Get connected with other Women Food processors: Small Scale Food Processors Association’s Women's Initiative.

Resources for Women in Food Processing

• Food for Profit
• Introduction to Making Cheese
• Women Grape & Wine Producers in Pennsylvania, USA and Mendoza, Argentina: Meeting Sustainability Challenges through Networks
• Thinking of Starting a Value-Added Dairy Foods Business?
• Starting a Value-Added Dairy Foods Business: Pennsylvania
• Plan Your Vegetable and Fruit Garden with Preserving in Mind
• Home Food Preservation and Safety
• Penn State: Understanding the Basics of PA Food Establishments & Cottage Food Regulations

Resources

Center for Economic and Community Development & Penn State Extension. (2020). Male and Female Farm Producers in 2017: A Comparison Across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Extension.

Farm Flavors. (2024, May 28). Top Pennsylvania agriculture facts from the most recent census of Agriculture - Farm Flavor. Farm Flavor.

McDonald, J. (2017, December 7). Flour Power - Institute for Justice. Institute for Justice .

SSFPA Women's initiative. Small Scale Food Processor Association . (2026). 

The Investopedia Team. (2026, April 30). Microenterprise: Definition, types, example. Investopedia.