For centuries, women have played vital roles in agriculture. Evidence dating back to 10,000 B.C. shows that women were often responsible for gathering plant food. However, it wasn’t until the 1940s, during World War II, that there was a significant increase in women’s participation in agriculture, as they took over farming and engineering roles left vacant by men who were drafted into the war. Since then, the presence and influence of women in agriculture have steadily risen. Women have also made significant contributions to modern agricultural technology, such as inventing the first milking machine and advancements in refrigeration and food transportation. Today, more women than ever are involved in all aspects of agriculture, further shaping the industry’s landscape.
The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) and some of our wonderful Partners are great examples of influential women running farms and businesses that set a precedent in sustainable agriculture practices. We interviewed Emma Layden and Kristi Hiaasen, impressive female business partners of HDFFA, to share about their path to owning a successful business.
Emma Layden, Feast Food Co.
Meet Emma Layden, part owner of Feast Food Co. Emma went to school for entrepreneurship and has always been interested in starting a business. She is now running a successful brick-and-mortar.
The entrepreneurial dream began in a food truck, which was voted the second best food truck in Redmond in 2022. In late 2022, Emma and her husband opened a restaurant. Their restaurant creates dishes revolving around a menu that features local and seasonal ingredients.
“We locally source everything we have, we also make everything from scratch right here in our kitchen. We cook interesting, delicious food, and serve it to you with hospitality and a sense of unpretentiousness,” states Emma.
Feast Food Co. is a hearty representation of a business that prioritizes local. Emma and her husband raise the bar for what good food means. It doesn’t have to mean expensive, it doesn’t always mean the fanciest ingredients — or even the healthiest. For them, good food is nutritious food grown with love, prepared with care, and served to the community in which it is grown.
Emma Layden – Feast Food Co.
The need for good food cannot be denied. Emma herself has observed a need for more restaurants like the one she and her husband have started. “We get a lot of people in here that think it’s amazing how we locally source all of our ingredients. I think people are getting tired of crappy things making their way onto their plates and into their stores. I think we’ll be seeing a proper shift back into caring about where your food comes from.” Assuming you are a fan of HDFFA, we are sure you agree with Emma’s statement. We believe everyone deserves good food and hope to connect you with ways to make it a regular part of your life.
According to a Resilinece.org article, women are more likely to start sustainability-focused farms and businesses. Yet, working in an industry with systemic sexism is not easy. Emma gave this advice: “Just put in the work. You’re going to be tired, but keep going. Know your worth, and keep pushing to get where you want to be.”
Kristi Hiaasen, Crook County on the Move
HDFFA:
“Could you tell us a little about your background and how you got involved in food systems work? Why is the work you do important in our region?”
Kristi :
“Carol Benkosky and I have been working on access to wholesome food for everyone in Crook County since 2018 when Crook County On The Move hosted an Oregon Food Bank FEAST Event. Since that time, CCOTM has sponsored the “Community Garden Party” on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and a public awareness campaign “Share The Bounty” to encourage backyard gardeners to donate their excess produce to food pantries and other locations where it will be used. As we learned more about barriers to food access, a group focused on just that issue formed in 2023. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Each month more than a dozen folks sit around a table (or tune in on Zoom) to share information, ideas and support for all the individuals, agencies and organizations that are doing good work to feed hungry people. Early successes include securing funding for emergency food assistance, called the SNAP Gap Project, in partnership with ODHS and starting a Green Bag Food Project to support our local food pantries. We believe building a strong community is the way to ensure all needs are met.”
Anna Hall, Jackson’s Corner
HDFFA:
“Could you tell us a little about your background and how you got involved in food systems work? Why is the work you do important in our region?”
Anna:
Starting a coffee roasting business in Madras nearly two decades ago was a pivotal moment for me. It was my first food industry venture, and it laid the groundwork for what has become a consistent theme throughout my career: a dedication to ethical sourcing and community engagement. The concept of direct trade coffee, although initially unfamiliar to some in Madras, resonated deeply with our community’s ethos of working directly with farmers. This experience instilled in me a passion for supporting local growers and fostering transparent supply chains. This commitment to local sourcing remains at the core of my current restaurant, Jackson’s Corner. Whether it’s sourcing ingredients for our menu or partnering with local producers, the principles I learned in Madras continue to guide our approach, ensuring that we not only serve exceptional food but also contribute positively to our community and the broader food system.
Women are vital to setting the trends for the future. Women started HDFFA, and it has been majority run by women ever since. When we asked Katrina, the founder & former Executive Director of HDFFA, why, she stated, “I think this goes back to home economics. When I was in middle school (1987–88) the men took classes in the shop and women were taught to cook and sew. Not only were we taught these roles, albeit sexist, but generationally we also see this in our families. At the same time, women also tend to be nurturing and hard working, and of all the women in agriculture in Central Oregon are extremely passionate.”
List of some other amazing Central Oregon women-run farms and businesses:
HDFFA has a robust network of farmers, ranchers, and producers that are also passionate about food. Getataste.org hosts all the information you need to learn more about Feast and the other women-run businesses mentioned. For a deeper look into High Desert Hogs read this Q&A. More than ever before, women are choosing agriculture as a career path. This isn’t new, but the recognition is. Let’s continue to support women in agriculture at every level.
