CFAES dean recognized in celebration of Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)recognized Cathann A. Kress, The Ohio State University vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), and CAST board of trustee member, in a series focused on women in agriculture. The following feature highlights her experiences growing up on a farm, her challenges and successes as a woman in agriculture, and her advice in embracing one’s identity in the field. 

Embracing my identity: A woman’s journey in agriculture

During my formative years, I grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa, where my family raised sheep. During the summers, my job was to steward the pastures and move the herd from pasture to pasture at the appropriate times. I was drawn to how the systems all worked together.

Being a woman in agriculture, what I struggle with is not that I don’t see females as being part of my identity, but that being female is only a piece of my identity, and I want to offer up my whole identity. 

I certainly have encountered those who have not included me or questioned my leadership as a woman. Early in my career, I was often the only woman in meetings or groups. I have encountered assumptions about what that might mean about my leadership style, but I’ve also found many in the agricultural community to be welcoming and appreciative of women leaders and our contributions. If you don’t fit what other people may have been anticipating, they think you can’t rise to what they were expecting, and then you have to overcome that somehow. I just go about who I am and prove that credibility, but I don’t focus on it, which allows me to take leaps. I want to serve well because I care, not because I need to prove myself. 

I’ve had the privilege of impacting people, their work, and their lives through knowledge and education. I’ve mentored and coached leaders, inspired youth to pursue agricultural careers, and supported early-career professionals. My greatest successes have been my efforts to support people.

Really get to know yourself and what you have to offer — know your currency and what you bring to the table. You are the person who makes the choices. There is freedom that comes from knowing your currency. I’m not trying to be someone else. I’m trying to be the best version of myself, and I accept that I’m human. Some things will go well, and some will not. Mostly, love what you do. I am excited about my work. I deeply value and appreciate the people I work with, and I believe in our mission.