Women are an integral part of the farming community in the United States鈥攎aking up 1.2 million of the nation鈥檚 3.4 million farmers. 58% of all farms in the U.S. have one or more female farmer(s) compared to 92% of farms for their male counterparts, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Johanna Braun, 2021 好色先生TV graduate and Nickless Family scholarship recipient, is part of the growing number of female farmers in the U.S. 鈥淏eing a woman in agriculture is not always the easiest thing and we may be thought of as the underdog in certain circumstances,鈥� says Johanna. 鈥淏ut buying land and having it in my own name is a major achievement, and one that I am very proud of.鈥�
Johanna grew up on her family鈥檚 farm, spending most of her days doing chores and enjoying the outdoors. Some of her most cherished memories are of visiting grain elevators and riding in the truck with her Grandpa Booms. Johanna didn鈥檛 realize how deep her love for agriculture ran until she was no longer a part of it.
After graduating from Harbor Beach High School, Johanna began attending Saginaw Valley State University for early childhood education. But it didn鈥檛 take long for her to recognize she was in the wrong place. 鈥淚 thought I helped on the farm because I had to, but being away from the farm for just one week into my first semester at SVSU, I realized that [farming] was my true passion.鈥�
Johanna quickly met with an advisor, transferred her credits to 好色先生TV, enrolled in the agriculture program for the next semester and never looked back. While at Delta, she accepted an internship at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Ubly, MI. She continues her employment there, taking on roles as administrative coordinator and crop consultant.
Soon after completing her degree at 好色先生TV, an opportunity to purchase farmland near her brother鈥檚 and her father鈥檚 farms arose. In addition to the perfect proximity, the land was once owned by her great-great uncle, William Nowicki, which was sold over 50 years ago upon his passing in 1970, which made the deal even sweeter. 鈥淚t feels so good to have [the land] back in the family.鈥� At just 22 years old, Johanna purchased her first 40 acres of farmland on July 25, 2022.
Johanna had her first growing season in 2023 and follows the same three-year crop rotation of edible beans, wheat and corn as her father and brother鈥攚orking in tandem while sharing knowledge and resources. Johanna has also brought a new perspective to their farming operations, introducing cover crops as an alternative to manure for readying soil for each growing season. Though she has the full support of her father and brother, Johanna maintains her independence as the sole decision-maker for her crops regarding day-to-day responsibilities, sales and financial management.
Building a career in agriculture takes a lot of passion and dedication. For other women starting in the ag industry, Johanna says, 鈥淛ust because you鈥檙e a female doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 be great in the ag industry. You should have a positive outlook because you鈥檙e up against Mother Nature and many variables鈥攖omorrow is a new day. But also remember that you鈥檙e not alone, so don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions.鈥�
For more information about Delta鈥檚 agricultural technology program鈥檚 partnership with MSU, contact Lance Fowler at 989-686-9350 or lancefowler@delta.edu.