Growing up in east Texas men were seen as the center of agriculture. When it came to women in agriculture it ended at teaching. Coming to Texas Tech University, Sarah McCormack found it refreshing and empowering to see the multitude of women studying agriculture.

Sarah McCormack was raised in Nacogdoches, Texas. Growing up in a rural area provided McCormack with an influx of agriculture around her. When someone describes growing up in the agricultural industry it is assumed they have grown up with cattle, horses, or farming. For McCormack this was not the case. With her father’s occupation as a production manager for Tyson, McCormack grew up on the other side of the agriculture industry.

Having a different point of view of the agriculture industry led McCormack to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and applied economics. Pursuing a degree in a male dominated industry/field was extremely intimidating to McCormack. However, McCormack knew she wanted to give back to the industry that has given her so much.

Pursuing a degree in agriculture finance offers McCormack the chance to give back to those in the agriculture industry as well as support women that are in or upcoming in the industry. Whether McCormack stays in the agriculture realm or not she wants to be able to support and teach women.

“The finance field and ag industry are mostly male dominated. Putting those together makes the field I am interested in even more intimidating. I want to help close the gap and offer that female representation.”

McCormack is one of many women in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources studying agricultural and applied economics. Davis College is a representation of the future of agriculture. Women supporting women in agriculture is vital for growth within the industry. McCormack hopes to continue this way of thinking after graduation and bridging the gap between women and agriculture.