VERMONT — Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is highlighting the important role women play in Vermont’s Ag community.
Women represent about 22.3 percent of the principal farm operators in Vermont, according to the most recent USDA agricultural census. That number is significantly greater than the national average, which is 14 percent. A “principal operator” is defined as the person overseeing the daily farm operations.
Vermont ranks 9th in the nation for percentage of principal farm operators that are women.
Vermont has more than 7,300 farms total, and more than 4,700 female farmers. Vermont ranks 8th in the nation for percentage of total farm operators that are women.
“We have a strong tradition of female farmers here in Vermont,” according to Mary Peabody, director of the Women’s Agricultural Network at UVM. “These numbers reflect what we see in our communities every day — women are critical to the success of Vermont’s agricultural economy.”
“I want to thank all the women who play a role in making Vermont’s agricultural economy great,” said Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “They play critical role as business owners, vets, ag service providers, leaders of our statewide ag organizations, and as members of farm families. We are grateful for all they do!”
Learn about some of Vermont’s women farmers by going online to this site: tinyurl.com/n88tslq.
To learn more about how the Women’s Agricultural Network supports Vermont’s female farmers, visit www.uvm.edu/wagn.
 
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Percentage of total female farmers
Arizona:               44.8%
Alaska:                 42.7%
New Hampshire : 42.4%
Massachusetts:    41.6%
Maine:                 41.0%
Oregon:               39.3%
Nevada:               39.3%
Vermont:             39.3%
Connecticut:       39.1%
Rhode Island:      37.6%
Source: USDA, 2012