Old MacDonald likely a woman these days

By WIILIAM R. LEVESQUE
Published July 10, 2006

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Farmer John isn't necessarily a man anymore.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the number of farms with a woman as the primary operator grew 58 percent from 1975 to 1997. By 2014, up to 75 percent of U.S. farmland will be owned by women, the USDA reports.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services notes that women come into the job in a variety of ways: by inheriting an operation from a deceased husband, for example.

"Of course, there are still biases out there," said Marion Aller, director of the Division of Food Safety for the Florida department. "Women still raise eyebrows whether they're in the barn or the boardroom. Sometimes women may be held to a higher standard. There are bastions of the old guard. But I think women are well aware of these attitudes and they know how to handle them."

In Florida, recognition is bestowed to women with the Woman of the Year in Agriculture award, presented in February.

Farmer John is not eligible.