Billings Farm & Museum to Present: Vermont Female Farmers
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT... Female farmers from across the state will be featured in a new photography exhibition presented by Billings Farm & Museum. Vermont Female Farmers showcases 45 photographs by renowned photographer, JuanCarlos González, in Billings Farm’s Historic Barn from August 19 – October 31. This documentary project focuses on the meaningful and impactful contributions that female farmers are making to the State’s culture, identity, and economy. This captivating collection of black and white and color photographs provides insight into the unique story behind each farm and spotlights the underrepresented voices of women in agriculture.
Inspired by the strength and tenacity of the women in his own family, from 2020-2022, González visited and documented 38 female farmers, photographing them at work during their daily life on the farm, capturing their livelihood, labor, and passion. With each encounter, González brought his infectious charisma and warmth and immersed himself in the story of each farm. Farmer after farmer welcomed him into their lives, shared their toils and triumphs, allowed him to capture honest moments of their livelihood, and nearly always sent him home with arms overflowing with fresh food and gifts made on the farm.
The exhibition title, Vermont Female Farmers, evokes each of the three elements portrayed in each photograph. González created stunning portraits of women who work in the farm industry. Each image captures the act of farming, including the products or animals that are produced on each farm. All are set against a backdrop of the wild and varied beauty of Vermont’s land and rolling hills. In conjunction with the exhibition, González brings together the photographs, stories, histories, and insights into each farm in a beautiful coffee-table book. The book will be featured for sale in the Billings Farm Gift Shop along with specialty items from many of the farms.
As a contemporary working dairy farm, this project resonates deeply with the Billings Farm story and the significant contributions that the woman of Billings made to the farm. Each of Frederick Billings’ daughters – Laura, Mary, and Elizabeth – made unique contributions to the family legacy and were a driving force behind the success and continuity of the operation. It is fitting that these powerful portraits will reside in the Billings historic barn, adjacent to the Farm Life Exhibits, a place that in the past housed the herd of Billings Jersey cows.
With the mission to inspire and engage generations through shared stories of Vermont’s rural culture and the continued practice of responsible agriculture, Billings Farm & Museum showcases farm life, past and present. Across the site, guests today make connections to farming, food systems, and the region’s agricultural history through seasonal and farm events, dynamic daily programs, camps, workshops, and unique after-hours experiences. This exhibit comes at a poignant time in Vermont’s history after the devastating damage from the recent deluge flooding. Many farms featured in this exhibit and across the state lost crops, fields, and animals. Our hearts go out to those in our community who have experienced flood damage and setbacks.
About the Artist
Originally from Maunabo, Puerto Rico, JuanCarlos González is a photojournalist and storyteller, as well as an event and landscape photographer who currently lives in Plymouth, Vermont. His work has been featured in National Geographic, Vogue Italia, the Boston Globe, and Leica Fotografie International. VermontFemaleFarmers.com.