Women taking on a larger role in agriculture

Over the past 10 years, the presence of women in agriculture has increased with a 14 percent rise in the number of female farm operators and a 21 percent rise in the number of female principal farm operators, according to the latest Census of Agriculture. American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Terry Gilbert, a Kentucky farmer, explains what contributed to this increase.

"There are women who are getting into farming to do speciality-type farming," says Gilbert. "A lot of women are involved in the vegetable and fruit area that is reaching that local market. Everybody wants to know their farmer, know their food and know where their food comes from, and I think a lot of women are getting into farming, answering that need."

Women in agriculture still face obstacles. "There still seems to be a little bit of a prejudice or negativity against a woman, “well she can’t do what a man can do," but I think women are extremely capable of being leaders in our agriculture industry and in our organizations."

Click here to listen to the complete interview of Seanica Otterby and Terry Gilbert at fb.org