It was once considered only a male’s area of study, but this way of thinking has changed.

Agricultural colleges are seeing an increase in enrollment of female students, proving that females are just as important in the industry as males are — the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is no exception.

“I think that, just as in any field, women should feel that they have an equal opportunity,” said Samantha Blakley, senior in agriculture and life sciences education. “There are a lot of things women can bring to the table in agriculture.”

Between 1987 and 2000, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has seen an overall increase in student enrollment, specifically in female students, according to a CALS newsletter. This semester the female enrollment in the CALS is nearly equal to male enrollment, with female enrollment at 1,535 and male enrollment at 1,763.

Female students are choosing to study agriculture for a number of reasons. One of those reasons stems from a calling to teach younger students the importance of agriculture.

Blakley became interested in agriculture education while taking agriculture classes in high school. Those classes taught her many skills she hopes to one day pass on to her students as an agriculture teacher.

“My goal is to provide similar or better experiences than I had to students in the future,” Blakley said.

Another reason deals with the want to take on the challenge of solving issues facing the agriculture community.

Jill Heinrich, freshman in agricultural biochemistry, became interested in agriculture while growing up on her family’s farm. Heinrich sees the agriculture field as an opportunity to make a difference in the world. After graduation, she wants to work for a company that does plant genetic research.

“With the world’s population expected to increase from the present 6 billion to over 9 billion by the year 2050, it will be important that we work hard to find ways to increase our food production,” Heinrich said. “While increasing our food production, it will also be important for us to find ways to conserve the world’s precious resources, the land and water.”

For others, the decision to study agriculture is simply due to a love for the subject.

Amanda Folkmann, sophomore in animal science, grew up on her family’s farm where she developed a love for animals.

“Studying veterinary medicine was always a goal of mine because I love working with animals as well as people,” Folkmann said. “Trying to solve health issues that come with the human-animal relationship has intrigued me since I was little and I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing at this point.”

The agriculture community has welcomed the increasing numbers of women studying in the field.

Ashley Blackwell, freshman in animal science, said she has not experienced any negativity directed toward her due to her gender.

“Iowa State’s learning environment is great and the students and faculty really promote working together no matter what your gender, age, race or ethnicity,” Blackwell said.

It is important that women become involved in agriculture. With a growing population and an increasing need for food, feed and fuel comes a greater demand for agriculture experts.

“It’s important for women to be involved in agriculture because there is a need for people in agriculture, and women can fill those positions just as well as men can,” said Ashley Wegmann, freshman in animal science.