Women in Agriculture

Women in Agriculture
Women have always had a central and significant role in the US agriculture sector, and their integral participation and contributions continue to shape the industry today. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), women currently make up around 36% of the country’s farmers and ranchers, with a presence of over one million female farmers across the country taking part in a variety of agricultural practices and contributing directly to the production of food and fiber in the United States.
Female participation is also standing strong within other agricultural-related industries, such as the heavy equipment and lubricants business, where women have been rightfully gaining their territory as equally knowledgeable and skilled parts and service managers, sales directors, and other high-ranking positions.
Towards a Sustainable World
Women have been leading the way in sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts and promoting environmentally sound and economically viable practices, such as greenhouse gas reduction and soil health improvement through regenerative agriculture.
Many female farmers in the industry work on family farms or have their own agricultural businesses. Through their hard work, they contribute directly to their families, the local economy, and sustainability efforts by applying traditional knowledge and practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry. Their participation and involvement in agriculture has also been shown to positively impact household food security, nutrition, and income, as well as for preservation and the continued use of traditional methods, seeds, and crop varieties.
They also play an essential role in maintaining social-agricultural traditions, such as hosting and organizing harvest festivals and events to celebrate the end of a crop season. These occasions allow local communities to come together and share the joy and fruits of their hard labor.
Other farming areas where women have traditionally held positions and responsibilities are herb gathering and animal husbandry – mainly for family-run farms. Women have passed on the knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants used for cooking and healing from mother to daughter throughout generations. Some still preserve these practices, naturally passing them down the line. On the other hand, women have often been involved in caring for livestock, taking charge of feeding, watering, and tending to the animal’s health needs.
Hard Workers, Caring Mothers
On top of all their hard work and contributions to the farming industry, women take upon them the most important and amazing challenge of all: motherhood.
There are many upsides to raising children on farms besides fresh air, wide open spaces, and an active, healthy lifestyle. Incentivizing children to participate in daily chores allows them to learn the value of hard work and collaboration from a young age. They are also more likely to develop a genuine appreciation and understanding of where the food comes from and the actual effort behind the entire process— from planting and harvest to the dinner table.
Children raised by farming mothers and families tend to grow up with an enhanced and unique sense of community as they are more likely to develop close relationships with neighbor families and other members of the farming community. Most importantly, growing up on a farm helps to build strong family bonds.
Even though the representation and fundamental participation of women and mothers within the agricultural industry keeps growing, female farmers have often been overlooked and undervalued, which has led to disparities when it comes to topics such as financing, access to land, wages, and other opportunities that can sometimes be taken for granted.
Thankfully, the farming community and the USDA have recognized these issues, launching programs such as the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The USDA also has its own program to support women farmers and ranchers called Women in Agriculture (WIA).
Other non-profit organizations such as the National Women in Agriculture Association (NWIAA), the American Agri-Women Coalition, and the Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN), to name a few, are also currently working to provide women with new opportunities and making efforts to support female farmers throughout the country by:
  • Offering resources and support such as specific loans, grants, and technical assistance to either start or further develop their agricultural businesses.
  • Providing formal education, focused training, and networking opportunities through workshops, conferences, field days, and other events for the farming communities.
  • Offering scholarships to women who are interested and invested in pursuing careers in agriculture and agribusiness.
  • Supporting the interest and rights of women in agriculture and advocating for policies that benefit all farmers and ranchers.
  • Linking women with women in the industry to build food systems and healthy, sustainable rural communities.
  • Providing access and/or grants to alternatives for childcare in rural areas.
  • Conducting research in the agriculture field.
New initiatives and tools will give women the opportunity to continue growing their presence in the industry by solidifying their knowledge and know-how for the betterment of their communities.
Shout-out to the Moms!
Here at VISCOSITY we firmly believe that mothers, especially the ones currently supporting America’s growth—either working in its fields or the heavy-duty equipment and lubricants business—, deserve special recognition for all their amazing work and dedication. Their role is tough, juggling motherhood and daily responsibilities, something our mothers here at VISCOSITY Oil, and every working mother in this country, can empathize with. As sons and daughters, we’d like to thank all moms making a difference out there, keeping work in fluid motion, and supporting future generations every day. For farm moms: keep rocking! And be assured that VISCOSITY Oil will have your backs with the best products for you to continue growing without worrying about constant downtimes and engine failure. Have a Happy Mother’s Month!

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The Bee Effect: Keeping the World Abuzz

The Bee Effect: Keeping the World Abuzz

The Bee Effect: Keeping the World Abuzz

We have all heard about the “butterfly effect” -a concept in chaos theory which states that small causes can have large effects. The name originated from the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world could set off a chain of events that ultimately leads to a hurricane in another part of the world. However, when it comes to environmental stability it is not a butterfly that would have the greatest level of impact.

Bees are one of the most important creatures in our ecosystem. They play a critical role in the natural pollination process, the primary mean in which plants reproduce. Although some species can be wind-pollinated, and other pollinators do the job as well, none is as well suited for the task as bees, due to the fact that they are able to visit – and pollinize – large numbers of flowers in a relatively short period of time.

Impact in agriculture

Animal pollinators are responsible for almost ¾ of the global flowering plants and take on 35% of the world’s crops. To better understand their impact, scientists estimate that one in every three bites of our food comes from an animal-pollinated source.

Of the many pollinators that help in this process— such as birds, butterflies, moths, and bats—, the one that takes the honey-cake as the primary commercial pollinator is the bee, and, more specifically among the over 4,000 types that exist in the US, the honeybee.  Honeybees are the only species that produce honey for human consumption, with a single honeybee only making about ¹⁄₁₂ of a teaspoon of honey in its entire lifetime. They are social insects with a complex communication system that involves dancing to convey information about the location of food sources and other important information, and they live and interact in highly organized colonies, each typically consisting of a queen, drones, and worker bees.

Amid the many crops that are possible thanks to their intervention, we can count almonds, squash, and non-citrus fruit trees. There are also many derived products that are part of the economic chain, such as beeswax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly, generally used in beauty and pharmaceutical products on account of their many natural benefits, some of which include moisturizing, analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.

Despite their importance and vital part in the food chain, bee populations have been declining, mainly due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and diseases. The latter can be attributed to bacteria (American foulbrood), viruses (chronic bee paralysis, deformed wing virus), and parasites (acarapiosis, small hive beetle infestation, varroatosis) among other sources, and it greatly impacts the balance within the hives. Although the exact cause is yet undetermined, one of the most notorious consequences is the Colony Collapse Disorder, in which worker bees abandon the queen and the hive, eventually causing the disappearance of the colony as a whole.

As bees struggle to survive, the impact on agriculture could be significant. If bee populations continue to decline, we could be facing lower crop yields, higher food prices, reduction of biodiversity and nutritional quality, and, eventually, food scarcity.

What can we do?

Focusing efforts on environmental and animal protection is now a priority for many countries, including the US. However, we can also create a butterfly effect and be the small cause that enacts the mayor change.

  • Create bee-friendly spaces: planting wildflowers and other native plants can provide shelter, habitat, and food to bees. You don’t even need to go too big; just choose some that would drive their attention, like bright yellow sunflowers and calendula, purple salvia, or even lavender and rosemary. Having apiaries is also a great alternative to help the species reproduce and get some fresh honey for yourself!
  • Reduce pesticide: These products can directly impact memory, bee reproduction, and overall hive health. If you need to use them, make sure to choose formulations that are less toxic and application methods that are friendlier to bees.
  • Support organizations and small businesses dedicated to bee conservation: if you are not able to have apiaries on your farm, make a mental note to always purchase honey and other bee products from local beekeepers. This will also strengthen local economy by creating new jobs and promoting healthy ecosystems. You can also help conservation organizations by supporting their efforts and learn how you can better adapt your practices to be more bee friendly.

The Viscosity commitment

At VISCOSITY Oil we are, like bees, tirelessly working to perfect the formulations that will keep your equipment on the move, constantly striving for that balance between effectiveness and protection. We want you to continue working in fluid motion with outstanding products that will drive your business forward! Remember to check our new online store and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with our latest news. Keep your farm abuzz with VISCOSITY Oil, formulated for ALL!

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Facts and Myths of Agriculture

Facts and Myths of Agriculture
Facts and Myths of Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the oldest industries in human history and became the basis for societal growth and the switch from the hunter- gatherer, nomad lifestyle of our early ancestors to develop settlements and establishing sedentary communities, starting around 12.000 BC.

Agriculture in the United States has a long and rich history that spans several centuries. Long before European colonization, Indigenous peoples had already developed diverse and sophisticated agricultural systems. These included practices such as crop rotation, fertilization, irrigation, and terracing; as well as the domestication of plants like maize, beans, and squash. These practices supported complex societies and provided a stable food supply.

In the 17th and 18th century the early European settlers severely impacted the Native’s agricultural practices, and they introduced new techniques and crops, such as wheat, barley, and cattle. During the 19th century the American agriculture underwent significant changes with the expansion of the country’s western frontier, the growth of commercial agriculture, and the rise of new technologies such as the plow and the mechanical reaper. This period also saw the emergence of large-scale agribusiness, which led to the concentration of farmland ownership.

The 20th century brought about the Green Revolution and, with it, advances in agricultural technology and practices, including the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, and the widespread adoption of mechanization. This led to significant increases in crop yields and productivity, but also brought with it new challenges directly spanned from the environmental and labor impact. This period also faced the introduction of new crops, such as soybeans and corn, which became important components of the American diet.

Today, the United States is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and exporters, with a thriving agribusiness sector and a wide range of farm products. Despite facing challenges such as climate change and land degradation, the American agricultural industry continues to play a vital role in the country’s economy and in feeding a continuously growing global population.

There is still so much to learn and much more to explore – but what is truth, and what is myth? What interesting things can history teach us about this industry? And what assumptions do we have today that still influence the way we look at it?

More than Meets the Eye
  • “Agriculture is a hands-on, low-tech business”
    • Yes and no. Many farmers still like to get their hands dirty with field work, and some manual operations are still present, especially in smaller farms. However, as we have seen in past blogs, agricultural technology has advanced at an amazing pace, incorporating complex IT solutions, automation, and monitoring, among other smart solutions, to become more efficient and cost- effective.
  • “Agriculture is all about food”
    • Yes, a large portion of the agricultural business is dedicated to producing food, but there are many food derivates that become the basis for other products that are part of our daily lives. Lip balms, crayons, charcoal, fibers, candles – and even paint – are all byproducts that come from soybeans, corn and others that are harvested in fields all around the world.
  • “GMOs are not healthy”
    • GMOs, or Genetically Modified Crops have a bad reputation of being unhealthy and harmful for humans and the environment. Although the debate is still up, and much needs to be regulated, seeds of this kind are strictly monitored for consumption and have allowed crops to thrive and withstand external circumstances that otherwise would have killed them. Additionally, selective crop breeding is a practice that has been present in agricultural history since its inception and it has allowed improvement of resources in resistance and taste, among other qualities.
  • “Agriculture has a single, localized origin”
    • Agriculture was born in several places, at various times in early human history. Although research has focalized early farmers around the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East, several tribes that had no contact with each other did in fact have agricultural practices. Settlers in other regions, such as Europe and America, began cultivating and domesticating different crops independently.
  • “Organic food is expensive”
    • We may find expensive items in supermarkets, but, in reality, organic food prices are not much different from conventional food. Purchasing directly from farmers would be a great alternative to not only get fresher produce at better prices, but to support communities and small, family owned farms who actually comprise the largest portion of food producers in the US.
  • “Modern agriculture is not sustainable or environmentally friendly”
    • Farmers are steadily transitioning towards —or maintaining—sustainable practices on their farms. With the aid of technology, farms are integrating solutions that help with soil degradation, water distribution, pesticides and fertilizers impact, and general carbon emissions, all with the aim of providing products that are as healthy to consume as they are produced. Agricultural lands are also being used for conservation and renewable energy production.

VICOSITY’s quality remains a fact!

With over 130 years of history VISCOSITY Oil has continued to develop products that exceed industry standards of performance to bring our clients the protection and efficiency they need. Trust the experts that are Keeping Work in Fluid Motion with formulations for ALL! Find your nearest dealership at at our new Dealer locator. or get the best VISCOSITY products for your equipment at Viscosity Oil Shop.

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Winter Preparations for Agricultural Equipment

Winter Preparations for Agricultural Equipment
Winter is drawing closer, and early preparations are necessary to protect equipment against stationary periods and low temperatures. Timely maintenance can ensure that when the thermostat drops your equipment doesn’t suffer the consequences of last-minute malfunctions during those cold, icy days.
Running operations in winter
Farming is a year-round activity with many farmers continuing to operate during cold weather and snow. Protective measures must be heightened during such seasonal changes to account for the new working conditions. Ensuring equipment and operational safety requires planning ahead of time so everything runs optimally and safely.
Get your equipment ready
Preparing for the winter starts in summer when you should take inventory of the tools that you need for the upcoming season. Having items at hand and in working condition such as portable generators, chains, wheel weights, snow tires, diggings bars, and plows is just as important as having the appropriate protective gear like warmer clothes, masks, safety goggles, and boots to keep you safe against cold and slippery surfaces.
Maintenance Schedules
Cold days present a new set of challenges for daily operations. Humidity and low temperatures can severely impact the overall state of equipment and halt production as a result. Daily checkups and scheduled maintenance are vital to prevent any small issues from becoming bigger and more costly.
Hydraulic systems and fluid revision are critical, as cold temperatures tend to thicken its viscosity, causing the engine to lose power. Pumps cannot distribute the oil reservoirs across the mechanism, causing cavitation and improper lubrication; consequently, a high-quality cold additive can make a significant difference. Elastomeric materials are cold-sensitive, so a revision of hoses, seals, and tubes is necessary to check for breakages. Additionally, cleanups and comprehensive evaluations of covers, guards, belts, or any other piece of equipment that has been exposed to cold and humidity will ensure no rust or debris is present, which could prevent the machine from functioning properly. Make sure to follow the manufacturer´s recommendations on how often you should conduct these changes and revisions to optimize your schedule.
Battery checkups are necessary as cold temperatures cause them to lose their charge faster. It is advisable to refill your tanks with winterized fuel to avoid overnight freezing and clouding during operations. Storing the equipment in a warm place to prevent malfunctions due to temperature and idleness during non-working hours is also highly recommended.
Heat it Up
One very important recommendation is to let your equipment heat up before starting. Block heaters can provide the required temperature for a correct jumpstart and a better fluid temperature for operation. Cold starts can cause engine oil to become thicker and can put extra strain on the battery, weakening its function.
Working in winter doesn’t mean the inside of your cabin is meant to be an Arctic experience. Make sure your cab heater is working and your mirrors and lights don’t have ice on them, so you have clear visibility. Ensure your tires are inflated according to equipment requirements; if you have installed chains for better traction, secured them properly. Chains are recommended even if you have snow tires.
No winter operations
If your operations are either partially or fully halted during winter, or if you are replacing your summer equipment for what you will use during the winter, there are many aspects to consider when storing your summertime gear. They include the following:
  •   Cleaning
Make sure your equipment has been thoroughly cleaned before storing it for the season. Tiny animals can look for refuge in storage areas, so keep a close inspection to ensure nothing is nesting in it. Also, make sure to change the oil to avoid sediments that can solidify during colder months.
  •   Electronics
Remove any detachable electrical devices that may suffer from low temperatures and that could drain power from the battery during stagnant periods. The battery itself can be removed depending on the equipment model, but for some, it is much better to keep the battery installed and run it at intervals to avoid it dying or malfunctioning. Follow your manufacturer recommendations to determine your particular course of action in this case.
  •   Repairs
Perform a complete maintenance and check for any repairs your equipment might need that could impact its performance once it returns to the field in the warm season. If you need to replace parts, use this period to order them and get them ready so no time is wasted.
  •   Storage
Keep your equipment stored in a dry, warm place. This will help reduce the risk of malfunctions due to cold, humidity, and exposure. Using a specialized antifreeze f or agricultural equipment will help prevent fluid from freezing but do so moderately and in line with product and manufacturer recommendations. Even if your equipment will be primarily idle, it is good to let it run every few weeks to thaw frozen parts and check for damage and battery conditions.
The VISCOSITY Winter Solution
Keeping work in fluid motion is our year-long commitment. VISCOSITY Oil products have been formulated for ALL seasons, to ensure your equipment is safe and performing at its highest capacity to account for your all needs and field requirements. Winter operations and stationary periods must not result in your equipment being damaged due to external conditions or idleness, so make sure you keep a close eye and use quality products to have comprehensive protection. Contact us to receive more information about the high-quality, premium solutions we have available for you so that you can continue moving fast, fluid and forward with the best formulations, regardless of temperature.

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