Women in Agriculture Take the Spotlight in RFD-TV's New Series FarmHer

NASHVILLE, TN—(Marketwired – September 21, 2016) –

FarmHer's Featured from Utopia and Austin, TX, Myakka City, FL, Minnetonka, MN, Salida, CO, and Indianapolis, IN

Airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. EST (Encore Saturdays at 11 a.m. | Sundays at 9:30 p.m.)

According to the USDA's most recent census report, the number of women–led farms has tripled over the past four decades and remains one of the fastest–growing groups in the United States. Today females make up 32% of the farming workforce and are almost one million women strong. Despite these powerful statistics, female farmers have often gone unnoticed in farm imagery … until now. RFD–TV's new series, “FarmHer” focuses its camera lens on women in agriculture through the eyes of photographer and TV host Marji Guyler–Alaniz.

The original series takes viewers on a journey through a day in the life of many diverse “FarmHer's” to explore what life on the farm looks like for women in agriculture. “FarmHer” takes you inside the nitty–gritty lives of female farmers visiting an urban goat dairy farm in Tampa, an alpaca ranch in Colorado, an urban FarmHer helping the homeless in Austin, and even an 80–year–old woman who is committed to single–handedly caring for her 6K+ acre family ranch. “FarmHer” is produced by RFD–TV in partnership with FarmHer and presented by Syngenta U.S., Mahindra U.S., and Nationwide Agribusiness.

FarmHer was founded by Marji in 2013 just after the “God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl Ram commercial aired. A few days after the commercial captivated America, she read an article discussing how it was a beautiful representation of America, but where were the women? She struggled with this fact and decided she wanted to utilize her passion for photography to begin changing the image of agriculture to include women and sharing their stories. The FarmHer concept started as an online community and photo project and has now grown into a new primetime television show on RFD–TV.

“I spent my career working in agriculture and never thought about how women were (or rather, weren't) portrayed,” said Marji. “I woke up in the middle of the night with the realization that instead of being frustrated, I had the ability to start changing the perception with my camera and show the world that women farm too.”

“The thing that excites me the most about expanding “FarmHer” is that together with RFD–TV we can take the image of these women — images that really represent and stand for millions of women all over the world — to the next level,” said Marji. “By incorporating video, we can really show these women at work and shine a much bigger light on who they are, what they do, and the beauty that each of them brings to agriculture. I hope by sharing these with a larger audience that we can inspire women, both within and outside agriculture, to go after their dreams, do what they want and find a way to succeed.”

“There is something to be learned from every woman in the FarmHer series and you do not need to live or work in agriculture to enjoy the show, “said Raquel Gottsch, executive producer of FarmHer TV. “There are life lessons, stories of heartache and triumph, and moments of humor that will resonate with anyone watching. It is our goal of the series to not only update the image of agriculture to include women, but to also show the beauty of rural America in an effort to reconnect city with country, the lifelong mission of RFD–TV. Every woman that we have visited has truly inspired me and taught me something new about agriculture that I did not know before. Women are amazing communicators and have a way of sharing their love for the land, care for the community and desire to feed the people.”

FarmHer” airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. EST (encore Saturday 11 a.m. and Sunday at 9:30 p.m. EST) and continues each Friday night through the fall season. For media files, press kit, photos, and video clips, please click HERE.

CLIPS:
FarmHer Sizzle Reel: https://youtu.be/FqSjC3mkOTo
Meet FarmHer Pam Lunn of Tampa's “The Dancing Goat” Farm (episode 1)
PREVIEW 1: https://youtu.be/3ZtYjTm3azM
PREVIEW 2: https://youtu.be/v3hcudoCK3E
Meet FarmHer Shayla McCullers a Rancher from Frostproof, FL (episode 1)
PREVIEW 3: https://youtu.be/–82IBU0lfJM
PREVIEW 4: https://youtu.be/jjjQr6bhLBg
Meet FarmHer's Lyna Knight and Susan Weicherding of Lithia, FL's Lyna Berry Farms (episode 2)
PREVIEW 1: https://youtu.be/FyV7ZmkjQJ8
PREVIEW 2: https://youtu.be/rZ5oPo9qPT4
Meet FarmHer Barbara Mazurek, an enthusiastic goat farmer from Utopia, TX (episode 3):
PREVIEW 1: https://youtu.be/j__X0R5MVL8
PREVIEW 2: https://youtu.be/P3jYCDG–qfQ
PREVIEW 3: https://youtu.be/ki9mOIkoDb4
PHOTOS: http://farmher.zenfolio.com/p421002594
Meet FarmHer Carol Ann Sayle of Austin, TX, who runs her own urban farm (episode 4):
PREVIEW 1: https://youtu.be/WbFz3B–5ujc
PREVIEW 2: https://youtu.be/Xh_h4ry4GbI
PHOTOS: http://farmher.zenfolio.com/p296214045
Meet FarmHer Renee Strickland, owner of an international livestock trade, from Myakka City, FL (episode 4):
PREVIEW 1: https://youtu.be/0KYoI–WuOkE
PREVIEW 2: https://youtu.be/YeBywE9CvNg
PHOTOS: http://farmher.zenfolio.com/p251345314
FULL EPISODES:
Watch episode 1: HERE – premiered Friday, September 9, 2016
Watch episode 2: HERE – premiered Friday, September 16, 2016
Watch episode 3 featuring FarmHer Barbara Mazurek from Utopia, TX: HERE

• Episode 3: Meet FarmHer Barbara Mazurek from Utopia, TX – Premieres Friday, September 23, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
• Episode 4: Meet FarmHer's Carol Ann Sayle from Austin, TX and Renee Strickland from Myakka City, FL – Premieres Friday, September 30, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
• Episode 5: Meet FarmHer's Ponsi Trivisvavet from Minnetonka, MN and Jane Lavene from Salida, CO – Premieres Friday, October 7, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
• Episode 6: Meet Future FarmHer's on the National FFA Officer Team from Indianapolis, IN – Premieres Friday, October 14, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
• Episode 7: Meet FarmHer Heidi Sloan from Austin, TX – Premieres Friday, October 21, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST

For the full program schedule and more information about RFD–TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM visit rfdtv.com.

NOTE: Episode guides follow on pages 3–8.

Episode 3:
Meet FarmHer Barbara Mazurek from Utopia, TX
Premieres Friday, September 23, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
(Encore Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. EST and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST).

Marji heads to Utopia, Texas where she discovers the incredible story of Barbara Mazurek, an 80–year–old woman who is committed to single–handedly caring for the family farm. A lifelong FarmHer, Barbara was raised and married into a ranching family, managing almost 6,000 acres in the TX hill country. After a family tragedy struck 30 years ago, Barbara moved forward by taking over the farm operations, running the family ranch, and caring for her several hundred goats and animals.

“When I was about six or seven, I remember overhearing my Dad telling my mother … you can take the two other girls and teach them to sew, cook or whatever in the house. But I am going to take Barbara and she is going to learn how to run this ranch.” – Barbara Mazurek

“We give [the goats] corn for bait. Goats are kind of like kids. They love the corn and will come in like 'oh where is my candy?'” – Barbara Mazurek

“I don't feel strong … at the time you just have to do it. One of these days you may go through a situation and afterward, you ask 'How did I do it? How did I do it?' But you did.” – Barbara Mazurek

Episode 4:
FarmHer's Carol Ann Sayle from Austin, TX and Renee Strickland from Myakka City, FL
Premieres Friday, September 30, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
(Encore Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. EST and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST).

Marji met up with Carol Ann Sayle and her husband Larry at Boggy Creek Farm in Austin, Texas, where they run one of the oldest urban farms in the country. Decades ago this couple — an artist and real estate professional — combined their love of gardening and some good business sense to create their 15–acre urban farm. This FarmHer grows and raises a wide variety of crops and livestock to sell at her Farm Stand, where more than 25 chefs come daily to purchase fresh meat and produce for their restaurants.

“I was basically in the TV business and all of that for all those years. We just kind of needed a fresh start in order to do something different.” – Carol Ann Sayle

“We want to represent the best for people in Austin. I'm kind of standing in one of the best farms in Austin, buying some of the best vegetables you can in the city.” – Carol Ann Sayle

Meet Renee Strickland who runs Strickland Ranch and Exporting in Myakka City, FL. Renee grew up in a ranching household and today, she and her husband export cattle around the world, including the middle east. She sometimes finds herself making groundbreaking deals with countries that have very volatile relations with the U.S. Government … which can make negotiations pretty tricky. For fun, Renee loads up her horses and heads to the polo fields at Sarasota Polo Club, where she competes in the game she loves.

“I'm in the middle of shipments to Pakistan, Panama, and possibly Peru so the stress certainly doesn't end.” – Renee Strickland

“One day you are interacting with someone that speaks Russian and the next day they speak Spanish … and you might need Portuguese if you have to go to Brazil … so you have to be able to adapt yourself to cultures.” – Renee Strickland

“Pakistan has been the most challenging market to open. I've been blessed to open several markets. I sent the first U.S. cattle into Oman. I sent the first U.S. cattle into Ecuador after many, many years … and most recently, Pakistan. Maybe I am blazing some trails there, but it's making it very easy for the other exporters to come in, which is great!” – Renee Strickland

Episode 5:
Meet FarmHer's Ponsi Trivisvavet from Minnetonka, MN and Jane Lavene from Salida, CO
Premieres Friday, October 7, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
(Encore Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. EST and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST).

Meet Ponsi Trivisvavet, president of Syngenta North America. This corporate FarmHer is responsible for U.S. business at one of the largest seed companies in the world. Ponsi works hard every day from her office, working to make the world a better place than she found it. She thrives on knowing agriculture technology is fighting world hunger and giving families resources and income.

Balancing a full–time career in medicine and operating multi–location alpaca farms near Denver, CO might be a stretch for some people … but not for FarmHer Jane Lavene. Jane owns and operates Jefferson Farms Natural Fibers, a business where she raises alpacas and markets their fiber. Her business expanded rapidly and Jane now runs two farms in Colorado — one in Denver and one in Salida.

“They are the most incredible animal. Alpacas work out of trust. They will just do what you ask them based on the fact that you are who you are. I don't need big burly guys or specialized equipment to help me handle them. I can do pretty much everything I need to by myself … so to me, [alpacas] are the ideal livestock.” – Jane Lavene

“They are quiet, peaceful animals. You can sit there and just relax. That's what I like best about it. There is a lot to admire about them. It helps ground you and it helps restore your balance too!” – Jane Lavene

Episode 6:
Meet Future FarmHer's on the National FFA Officer Team from Indianapolis, IN
Premieres Friday, October 14, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
(Encore Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. EST and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST).

Follow the FarmHer team to the National FFA Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN, where we meet some future FarmHer's breaking history by dominating five of the six national FFA officer positions. The organization originally did not allow women to be members of the historic organization until 1969, but fast forward to 2016, and the FFA organization today boasts 629,367 FFA members in 7,757 chapters throughout the U.S. with almost 47% females holding approximately 50% of state leadership positions.

Follow the state officers as the give Marji a tour of the national headquarters and then head to the “urban field” by visiting a local Indianapolis high school.

Episode 7:
Meet FarmHer Heidi Sloan from Austin, TX
Premieres Friday, October 21, 2016, at 9:30 p.m. EST
(Encore Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. EST and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. EST).

On the outskirts of Austin, meet a FarmHer who is not only farming, but working with the homeless population in her city to foster change. “When I moved to Austin, I knew that I wanted to farm, but I had this standard that I wanted to farm with people … farming with a bigger vision,” said Heidi Sloan. Heidi works with volunteers at a community farm, Genesis Gardens and Community First Village, where she is responsible for founding the on–site goat farm and running the community garden with volunteers. Along with other selfless community members, this FarmHer helps distribute food to thousands of homeless people in the greater Austin area.

“Agriculture was a long looming prospect for me. When I was a kid, my dad would literally grow bumper crops of tomatoes in our backyard and my job was to take the little red wagon around the neighborhood and give the extra to our neighbors. So when I moved to Austin, I knew that I wanted to farm, but I had this standard that I wanted to farm with people … farming with a bigger vision.” – Heidi Sloan

“Our heart is for the chronically homeless of Austin. But our mission is to empower communities into a lifestyle of service alongside the homeless.” – Heidi Sloan

“This is the job I didn't know I wanted. This is the job I couldn't have created for myself. It's exactly right.” – Heidi Sloan

“We all have gifts and everyone in every day of their lives is at some point going to be a giver and at some point be a receiver. When we are healthy individuals we are letting that system rule out and we are making relationships with people who are letting us be both givers and receivers in those relationships.” – Heidi Sloan

Additional cities featured in the series:

About Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG):

Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world's leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and Western lifestyle. With a mission of reconnecting “city with country,” RMG is the parent company of RFD–TV, RURAL RADIO, FamilyNet, RFD–TV The Magazine, and RFD–TV The Theatre. RMG networks are distributed to more than 100 million homes worldwide by DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, AT&T U–Verse, Mediacom, Charter Spectrum, Suddenlink, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. Corporate headquarters and broadcast operations are in Nashville, Tennessee.

About RFD–TV:

RFD–TV is the flagship network for Rural Media Group. Launched in December 2000, RFD–TV is the nation's first 24–hour television network featuring programming focused on the agribusiness, equine and the rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. Top RFD–TV programming includes “MARKET DAY REPORT,” “RURAL EVENING NEWS,” “RURAL AMERICA LIVE,” “WESTERN SPORTS WEEKLY,” rodeo events such as “The American,” and award–winning musical entertainment such as “The Best of The Marty Stuart Show,” “Hee Haw,” “Ray Stevens' Nashville,” and “Larry's Country Diner.”

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Embedded Video Available: https://youtu.be/FqSjC3mkOTo