Women hold leadership roles in one-third of Idaho farms

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, about one-third of Idaho farms are run by women. That could be more about how data is being collect by the U.S. Department of Agriculture than an actual uptick in women farmers, a USDA statistician told the Idaho Statesman.

“One of the examples was that oftentimes, a great grandfather’s name will be listed as the operator even if he’s passed, and they don’t count the people actually running the farm,” Randy Welk of the USDA said.

Stephanie Mickelsen, chief financial officer of Mickelsen Farms — a prominent grower of potatoes — said agriculture is somewhat of a man’s world, but is accepting of anyone willing to become educated and work hard.

“Then, you’ll have all the credibility in the world and be able to go out and change the landscape of agriculture in that way,” Mickelsen told the Statesman.

Another leader in Idaho agriculture, Britt Raybould, the chief financial officer of Raybould Brothers Farms, is currently the vice president of legislative and government affairs for the National Potato Council. She is in line to become the first female president of the council next year.