Shifting Gears is at the intersection of women farmers, today’s food activists and bicycles. Run by Lake Buckley and Caitrin Hall, the project is a bike tour that travels from coast to coast to meet and learn from the special knowledge and contributions that American rural and urban women-led farming offer to sustainable agriculture. Buckley and Hall are telling stories of how a widespread pattern of female farming is harboring agricultural resilience by cutting destructive consumption through modes of production that put the environment first. Yet, despite their success, women farmers face old patriarchal challenges. For example, In Fairfield Idaho compost delivery is refused to women. Yes, you read that correctly. Yet, Buckley and Hall have no doubt that the courage, compassion and holistic female energy of women’s farming will prevail over these patriarchal norms, while also building towards a more sustainable farming system. Photo credit: Civil Eats
