I love my little lavender farm. I mean I really, really love it!  And I love people who love to farm. I am fortunate to know a lot of great women farmers that work hard and love what they do. They feed and clothe their families, and us, and rarely get any thanks or recognition. More than half of the world’s farming population is female, yet they own fewer assets, have less access to the inputs they need (land, labor, technology, seeds, money), and have lower levels of access to services like training or insurance than men do. And when they do produce a beautiful crop that is market-ready, they are less likely to be paid the same price a man would receive. I really love lavender, but I really hate inequality.

The United Nations and the World Bank along with scores of well-meaning non-profits have a ton of strategies to correct this problem but in my little corner to the world, I want to do my part for gender equality in agriculture by donating a share of Sixteen Sprigs’ profits to reduce this injustice and promote positive gender outcomes.

Each year I pledge to select a group of beautiful, hard-working women farmers or agri-entrepreneurs to support with my pledge of 10% of Sixteen Sprigs annual profits. Be a part of the ‘power of purple’ by helping us, help other women farmers. You can purchase Sixteen Sprigs products at local markets in the Lansing and Saint Johns’ areas. See our market page for more details.

Tanzanian woman farming marigolds.