By Andi Anderson
Across the United States, more women are stepping into key roles in agriculture. Recent data from the USDA shows that women now make up 36.3% of all agricultural producers—those actively involved in farm decision-making.
This steady growth highlights the changing face of farming and the increasing role of women in food production.
There are now over 1.2 million female farmers in the US, managing more than 400 million acres of land and contributing $222 billion in sales. Since 2002, every Census of Agriculture has shown an increase in the share of female producers, even as the number of male producers has declined.
Women are most involved in livestock operations with smaller animals, aquaculture, and greenhouse production.
They are particularly active in sheep and goat farming, poultry and egg production, and horse farming. In crop production, women are more engaged in growing vegetables, melons, fruits, and flowers—areas that often involve specialty markets and intensive management.
However, female representation is lower in large-scale commodity crop sectors like corn, oilseeds, grains, and tobacco. These areas often require significant infrastructure and investment, which can be a barrier to new entrants.
Regionally, the Western and Northeastern states lead in female farmer participation. Arizona tops the list with nearly 48% of producers being women. States like Oregon, Alaska, and New Hampshire also rank high. In contrast, Midwest states such as Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa have some of the lowest percentages.
Indiana ranks sixth lowest, with 32.8% of its farmers being women. Despite this, the number of female farmers in Indiana has grown by nearly 29% over the last decade, showing a strong upward trend.
As more women enter farming, their contributions continue to shape the future of American agriculture.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle