June Hertzler (left) stands with her daughter-in-law, Kilah Hertzler, and grandsons Keegan (left) and Hudson.

USA TODAY identified the trend as part of a “new face on U.S. farming” in July 2004, and other major media such as National Public Radio and The Economist have noted the demographic transition. But that new face is turning to philosophies and techniques that will probably set more traditional factions of American agriculture on edge.

Nationally and statewide, more women are exercising increasing influence and control in farming. But, to really understand the burgeoning phenomenon and what it means, it helps to join Lucinda Hart-Gonzalez again on her farm.

She left a comfortable home within sight of the U.S. Capitol for a “start-up, fixer-upper” 50-acre farm, where she raises organic winter greens—arugula, lettuce, spinach, kale, collard, and turnip greens—along with free-range chickens. She and her husband, Steve, grow vegetables, fruit trees, and berries. Future plans include organically raised dairy and meat goats, a horse facility, and aquaculture. In her other life, she’s a full-time professor of English and communications, teaching online for the University of Maryland University College. But when she hits the fields, she’s an innovator and pioneer, bringing sustainable agricultural principles to bear in establishing what she hopes will be Jefferson County’s first certified organic farm.

For Hertzler (pictured with Hudson), farming allowed her the freedom to be at home and raise her then-young family.

“An organic farm is all about figuring how things work together,” she says. “We’ll also be rotating vegetables through raised beds—raised beds prevent soil compaction and yield twice the production out of the same area of ground. I haven’t figured out how all the rotations go, but I’m working on it.

“A woman’s role on the farm traditionally
has been active but supporting, not decision-making. My husband is still commuting and working part-time, while I’m 100 percent farm. So I find myself in the position of an increasing number of women: running the farm and doing the vast majority of the research. When it comes to what vegetables to grow or what animals to breed, I handle that, as well as the marketing and the Web site.”