‘Distaff side’ takes the lead in today’s agriculture

Parents shopping for positive-image gifts for their daughters at Christmas probably weren’t surprised to find the Barbie Careers Pet Vet package, in which the iconic doll is equipped to treat the ailments of small animals, or even the newer Farm Vet with everything needed to inoculate livestock and (one presumes) treat equine colic.

But for a real sign of the times, this year there was the new Farmer Barbie, and no, she isn’t just the wife of Farmer Ken. She’s the real deal, with a degree in agronomy and the work ethic required to help feed the world.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 2012 Census of Agriculture notes that nearly 1 million women are working directly as ag producers.

“That is nearly a third of our nation’s farmers,” the USDA’s website says. “Together, these women are generating $12.9 billion in annual agricultural sales.”

According to the people who are preparing the next generation of agricultural producers, women are outnumbering men in ag education programs as they become more directly involved in production agriculture, farm management and marketing.

More than half of the students in the Northeastern Junior College agriculture program are women, and they aren’t just attending class; they’re taking on leadership roles once reserved for men.

Women are heading profarm organizations, and they’ve become instrumental in the growing ag advocacy movement. And there’s even a national program, new to Colorado but used in 33 other states, that prepares women to take on their greatest roles in farming ever.

Once relegated to the “distaff side” of the farm family team — maintaining the home and performing domestic chores — the modern farm woman is increasingly having a significant influence as an equal partner when it comes to making decisions about a farming operation.

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