LAUREL, Miss. — From the farm to the conference room, women are thriving in all facets of the agriculture industry. As the industry is challenged to produce more food more efficiently, female professionals are answering the call. Women producers now make up 36 percent of farmers, a 27 percent increase from 2012, according to the latest Census of Agriculture. Women account for 46 percent of Sanderson Farms employees, 28 percent of the management team, and 40 percent of board members.
First launched in 2018, Sanderson Farms’ Women in Agriculture series seeks to spotlight hard-working professionals in vital roles across the company. While these women come from different life, educational, and career backgrounds, they all bring invaluable contributions to the industry. Each week during the month of August, Sanderson Farms will release a new Women in Agriculture profile on its corporate blog and social media platforms.
“With so many dedicated and highly skilled women making a different at Sanderson Farms, it only made sense to continue this campaign,” said Hilary Burroughs, Director of Marketing. “We hope their stories will help people understand the variety of opportunities within the agriculture industry.”
Kimberly Jefferson, Laboratory Quality Manager, will be featured first.
“At this company particularly, your success depends upon your work ethic and your merit,” said Jefferson. “In my experience, as women, we are driven and good at multi-tasking. Everyone has their place at Sanderson Farms, and we all fit together and work as a team.”
Upcoming features include Sanderson Farms employees Dr. Robin Gilbert, Veterinarian; Ashley Fontenot, Division Manager, Production; and Hope Rendon, Field Employee Relations Manager.
About Sanderson Farms
Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 15,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 17 different cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that we do, not only where products are concerned, but companywide, as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company back in 1947.
