SOSMagAprilJune2022

Women’s Work and Farming isn’t solely a “man’s job.” Few people realize the physical roles some women play to ensure a successful farm. You have heard it said, behind every great man is a great woman. In this case, behind many successful farms are many extra-ordinary women. You are about to meet three strong women and the contributions they make to Erie County agriculture and productive farming businesses. Pat Neill, 74, was born and raised on a farm in Wayne county and later married into the farm life when she was 21 years old. She recalls following her mom and dad around learning the jobs before she was big enough to do them. Growing up, she became familiar with crop farming, raising hogs and cattle. She met her husband-to-be when she went to 4-H Counselors Camp at Kelleys Island. Pat said, “It was there that I met this boy… Five years later I moved up here.” She married, Ron Neill and they had four children and became a successful farm and family. She jokingly tells her friends she was cursed, “I had a father with no sons and I married a man with no brothers.” Pat’s mother also helped her husband on the farm. “My mom would say it’s easier to work in the field than to cook for all of the hired hands.” Pat agrees. However, when needed on the farm, Pat would drive tractor in the fields or care for livestock in the barns. “That was my job at home, when I was a kid, so I always knew what to do.” Today she and her husband are nearly retired. When called upon, they are willing to pitch in and do their part on the farm. Heather Kromer, 58, was not a farm kid and grew up in Grove City. She always loved animals and she always wanted to live on a farm. After high school she went to The Ohio State University for Animal Science then ended up at the Agriculture Technical Institute in Wooster, a branch of Ohio State. This is where she met her husband, Matt Kromer. After they married, they had four children, three boys and a daughter. Early in his By Sue Daugherty Melissa Graham, Heather Kromer (center), Pat Neill Pat and Ron Neill Ron Neill with his children, 1980 Matt and Heather Kromer 6