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The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducted a survey of women on U.S. farms. Of those women responding, 81 percent were involved in the operation, yet less than half (46 percent) were actually raised on a farm or ranch.

The study included 7,500 farms.

Of those interviewed, 10 percent classified themselves as the principal farm operator while nearly one-third considered themselves a full partner in the business. Another 40 percent reported being involved in the operation as business manager or helper, and the remaining 19 percent were not involved directly in the farm operation. Half (50 percent) reported having a paid job off the farm.

The median age of women on farms was 53. Nearly one-quarter of the women have completed some college while 15 percent have at least a 4-year college degree.