Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG), the world’s leading multimedia content provider dedicated to the rural and western way of life and owners of RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel and Rural Radio 147 on SiriusXM, announces today the acquisition of the two iconic FarmHer and RanchHer brands. This procurement comes with great excitement as the female role in agriculture expands. Raquel Gottsch Koehler has been named the new CEO of FarmHer, Inc., effective immediately. Koehler is a highly respected industry leader who brings a wealth of knowledge to this new project. She will continue the legacy and momentum of both FarmHer and RanchHer as she fulfills her new responsibilities as CEO.
“Connecting with and shining a light on women within our agriculture industry has always been my greatest passion,” said Raquel Gottsch Koehler, CEO of FarmHer. “For the past 8 years, I have served as a FarmHer board member and played a key role in the start of the FarmHer television series on RMG’s flagship network RFD-TV. As we celebrate ten phenomenal years of FarmHer, I am honored to lead this exciting venture into the next decade and beyond.”
FarmHer was founded by a woman named Marji Guyler-Alaniz, who, in 2013, left her corporate job in agriculture to start a photography project and blog to capture women working on the farm. With its eye-catching photos and great storytelling, Guyler-Alaniz’s blog caught the attention of RMG, who in 2015 offered to become a minority shareholder in FarmHer and produce the television series FarmHer on RFD-TV. The show launched in September 2016, and 122 episodes were produced for a total of 5 seasons, winning multiple awards including two Telly Awards in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, Guyler-Alaniz decided not to continue the FarmHer TV show for future seasons, as she wanted to spend more time at home with her husband and kids. RMG has since remained a minority shareholder in the brand, and FarmHer continues to focus on digital initiatives, merchandise, and events. In 2021, Guyler-Alaniz returned to a corporate job in agriculture.
“FarmHer will always hold a special place in my heart,” comments Guyler-Alaniz, Founder of FarmHer. “As I have changed directions in my life, I pass this torch with certainty that both Rural Media Group, Inc., coupled with new CEO, Raquel Gottsch Koehler, will uphold FarmHer’s mission to advocate on behalf of women in agriculture. I want to thank Rural Media Group, Inc. for believing in this brand and look forward to watching it grow into something even more special and having a greater impact for women everywhere.”
With this new purchase of FarmHer Inc. also comes ownership of the brand, RanchHer. When RMG’s second television network, The Cowboy Channel, first launched, it produced a sister series to FarmHer, called RanchHer, which aired for one season. Although this season was successful, conflict in scheduling between the number of rodeos on the new network made it difficult to have a consistent air date and time each week. Fortunately, with the recent launch of RMG’s third network, The Cowgirl Channel, comes more availability for new television series, especially ones focusing on women in agriculture.
As part of the FarmHer and RanchHer acquisition, RMG will produce new television episodes for both brands to premiere later this year on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel and The Cowgirl Channel. Pre-production planning for the new FarmHer and RanchHer television series has already begun, and more exciting details will be announced soon.
“Those familiar with the agriculture industry know farming and ranching is not one size fits all,” says Koehler. “The same can be said about FarmHers and RanchHers. From the field to the classroom and even the boardroom, women in agriculture bring a unique and enthusiastic perspective to the equation. Moving forward, FarmHer and RanchHer will continue to focus the bright light on these inspirational women and provide a platform for them to shine.”
In the United States Agriculture Department’s latest Census of Agriculture, it was revealed that 36% of U.S. farmers are women, and 56% of all agriculture-producing farms have at least one female decision-maker, proving that women are clearly a catalyst in the future of the agriculture industry.
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Media Contact:
Raquel Gottsch Koehler
