NASS: More Women Farmers In 2017 Census Of Ag

Some new criteria and questions within the 2017 census of agriculture led to changes regarding who is considered a farm producer. NASS' Ginger Harris said the result was in increase in the number of farm producers. And she noted when you look at the demographics.

"most of these newly identified producers were female, while the number of male producers fell by about 1.7% the number of female producers increased by nearly 27%."

"36% of all producers are female and over half of all farms have a female decision maker," Harris continued. "On average, farms with female producers are both smaller in terms of acres, in terms of the dollars of receipts from farming."

Harris added that the 2017 census of agriculture is similar to the prior census, back in 2012 in that there are distinct regional differences in the share of female producers on farms."

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