By Joshua Archer
Staff Writer
EASTON — A mission to educate the public about where their food comes from hit the road recently. American Agri-Women’s (AAW) “Planting Our Future Drive Across America” tour launched from the McCain Foods USA processing plant in Easton on June 3.
The five-month long excursion celebrates the 40-year anniversary of AAW, the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agri-business women.
Sue McCrum of Mars Hill, AAW president, and Doris Mold, AAW first vice president of Minnesota, are rolling through the country in a highly visible pick-up truck to honor the important role women have in agriculture and further their network of American agriculturalists and consumers.
“More than ever, consumers are seeking connections to those who produce the food and products they use every day,” McCrum said. “Our Drive Across America is a tremendous opportunity for those of us in agriculture, and women in agriculture, to make those connections in person.”
The publicity trip will take AAW members through 30 states, including stops in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and other high visibility locations.
Mold explained how more women are taking leadership roles in the farming industry. “Women are often looked at as silent partners, but women are part of the backbone of agriculture,” she said.
The dawn of the mechanized family farm opened the doors for women to take charge, “there are no more gender-related jobs anymore,” McCrum said.
McCrum’s family has had a relationship with McCain Foods for two generations. Her son Darrell, a fifth-generation potato and small grains farmer, said the Canadian company has been a true supporter of family farms and agriculture in The County.
Christine Wentworth, McCain’s vice president agriculture, North America, said her firm is pleased to support the Drive, noting that farmers and farm families are critical to the company’s success. “Potato growers are the backbone of our business,” she said, “and it is important to recognize the contributions women make on family farms across the country.”
McCrum’s granddaughter, Keara, is a member of the Central Aroostook High School FFA. She’ll be entering her sophomore year in the fall said she joined the organization to carry on the family tradition. “Farming has been a man’s job for many years and it’s time to see what women can do in this field,” she said.
Members of Maine Agri-Women (MAW), an affiliate of AAW, with 26 members from northern Maine, showed their support while attending the kick-off event. Pam Townsend, MAW president, advocates for agriculture along side AAW and hopes the journey will teach the public that “a lot of family farms are run by women and all consumers play a part in agriculture.”
McCrum and other leaders will cruise the country and participate in educational, network and advocacy events hosted by AAW’s more then 50 affiliates. The Drive will finish at the 2015 annual convention in Portland, Oregon.
AAW members have educated consumers and advocated for agriculture since 1974. The public can follow up on the Drive on AAW’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/ AgriWomen
