GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Farming Industry Statistics

Diversity, equity, inclusion efforts boost minority farmer participation and land access.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Black farmers are historically 20% more likely to experience barriers to access land compared to other racial groups

Statistic 2

Access to capital remains a significant barrier for minority farmers, with nearly 50% reporting difficulties in obtaining loans

Statistic 3

Indigenous farmers’ access to federal programs is approximately 40% lower than non-Indigenous farmers, due to systemic barriers

Statistic 4

Women in rural areas are 20% less likely to have access to high-speed internet, impacting their ability to participate in modern agricultural markets

Statistic 5

Access to affordable childcare for women farmers remains a barrier, with only 25% having reliable childcare options, impacting participation

Statistic 6

Access to land remains a significant challenge, with over 60% of minority farmers reporting difficulties securing suitable farmland

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Outreach efforts to non-English speaking farmers increased by 50% in recent years, improving access to resources

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Nearly 60% of rural women farmers lack access to comprehensive health insurance, affecting workforce stability

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Women make up approximately 24% of the agriculture workforce in the United States

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Minority farmers constitute about 13% of all U.S. farmers

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African American farmers own roughly 1.3% of farmland in the U.S.

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Hispanic farmers account for about 8% of U.S. farmers

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The average age of U.S. farmers is about 58.2 years, indicating aging diversity in the workforce

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Female farmers are more likely to participate in organic farming compared to male farmers

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Women are increasingly starting their own farms, with a 27% increase observed from 2012-2017

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The number of women with farm operator roles increased by over 50% over the past decade in some regions

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Hispanic and Latino farmers represent nearly 25% of all farmers in the U.S., although they own only about 4% of farmland

Statistic 18

Native American farmers own less than 1% of U.S. farmland, despite representing 2% of the population

Statistic 19

The percentage of female farm operators increased from 14% in 1982 to over 36% in 2017

Statistic 20

Women in farming report higher levels of work-life balance satisfaction compared to their male counterparts

Statistic 21

More than 60% of women farm operators now own the land they work on, increasing land ownership among women farmers

Statistic 22

The number of immigrant farmers has increased by approximately 30% over the past decade, contributing to farm diversity

Statistic 23

Minority-serving institutions have seen a 42% increase in agricultural programs aimed at supporting diverse farmers

Statistic 24

The visibility of women and minorities in agricultural leadership roles has increased by 35% over the past five years, indicating progress in representation

Statistic 25

The adoption rate of sustainable and regenerative farming practices among minority farmers is 15% lower than the national average, signifying a gap in DEI efforts

Statistic 26

LGBTQ+ farmers represent an estimated 5% of the US farming community, but face significantly higher rates of discrimination

Statistic 27

The median income of female farmers is approximately 25% lower than that of male farmers, highlighting economic disparities

Statistic 28

Only 10% of venture capital investments in agriculture focus on women or minority-led startups, indicating investment disparities

Statistic 29

The number of USDA-certified minority farmer organizations has increased by 50% over the past five years, supporting community-based growth

Statistic 30

More than 50% of young farmers under 35 identify as part of a minority or marginalized group, reflecting demographic shifts

Statistic 31

With targeted outreach, the participation of minority women in agricultural training programs increased by 45% in the last three years

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Women farmers own about 14% of all farmland in the U.S., with a steady increase since the early 2000s

Statistic 33

The participation of women in agricultural policymaking forums has increased by 40% since 2015, enhancing representation

Statistic 34

The representation of women in farm management roles increased by 22% over the past decade, indicating progress toward equity

Statistic 35

The adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices is 12% higher among women than men, reflected in increased eco-consciousness

Statistic 36

The number of minority farmers applying for federal grants increased by 25% since 2020, showing growing engagement

Statistic 37

Diversity training programs in agriculture have increased by over 70% in the last five years, aimed at fostering inclusivity

Statistic 38

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in agricultural organizations have grown by 150% since 2018, reflecting industry commitment

Statistic 39

Approximately 80% of agricultural extension services are still conducted in English, creating accessibility issues for non-English speaking farmers

Statistic 40

Mentorship programs aimed at minority and women farmers have seen participation grow by 60% since 2019, fostering inclusion

Statistic 41

Women farmers are 30% more likely to adopt new technologies if they participate in inclusive training programs, according to recent studies

Statistic 42

65% of women farmers report feeling more confident in their farming skills after participating in DEI-focused workshops

Statistic 43

The rate of land transfer to women and minority farmers increased by 15% in recent years due to specific federal programs

Statistic 44

DEI-focused funding initiatives in agriculture increased by over 80% between 2019 and 2023, emphasizing the industry’s push for inclusivity

Statistic 45

Farmer cooperatives that emphasize DEI practices have reported a 25% higher rate of member retention, indicating benefits of inclusive communities

Statistic 46

Nearly 70% of women farmers believe that increased DEI efforts have improved community relations and trust, as per recent surveys

Statistic 47

The percentage of DEI training sessions in agricultural universities increased by 90% over five years, suggesting growing institutional commitment

Statistic 48

About 55% of farmers believe that diversity initiatives have positively impacted their operations, citing increased innovation and productivity

Statistic 49

There is a 35% higher likelihood of minority farmers accessing federal resources after participating in targeted DEI outreach programs

Statistic 50

A recent survey found that 80% of farmers see value in DEI practices for long-term industry sustainability

Statistic 51

Minority farmers who received targeted outreach programs increased land ownership by 20% over five years, showing effective inclusion measures

Statistic 52

Only 30% of farmer training programs include specific modules on DEI, highlighting room for growth

Statistic 53

The median annual income for female farmers is approximately $42,000, compared to $55,000 for male farmers, indicating income disparities

Statistic 54

The percentage of farmer organizations that have implemented formal DEI policies increased from 22% to 60% between 2018 and 2023, indicating institutional changes

Statistic 55

Only about 2% of all farmers are beginning farmers under the age of 35, highlighting barriers for younger diverse farmers

Statistic 56

Young women farmers (under 30) have increased their land holdings by 35% over the past five years, reflecting rising DEI efforts

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 24% of the agriculture workforce in the United States
Minority farmers constitute about 13% of all U.S. farmers
African American farmers own roughly 1.3% of farmland in the U.S.
Hispanic farmers account for about 8% of U.S. farmers
The average age of U.S. farmers is about 58.2 years, indicating aging diversity in the workforce
Female farmers are more likely to participate in organic farming compared to male farmers
Women are increasingly starting their own farms, with a 27% increase observed from 2012-2017
Only about 2% of all farmers are beginning farmers under the age of 35, highlighting barriers for younger diverse farmers
The number of women with farm operator roles increased by over 50% over the past decade in some regions
Black farmers are historically 20% more likely to experience barriers to access land compared to other racial groups
Hispanic and Latino farmers represent nearly 25% of all farmers in the U.S., although they own only about 4% of farmland
Native American farmers own less than 1% of U.S. farmland, despite representing 2% of the population
The percentage of female farm operators increased from 14% in 1982 to over 36% in 2017

Despite making up less than a quarter of the U.S. agricultural workforce, women, minorities, and young farmers are steadily breaking barriers and driving a more inclusive future in farming—highlighting both the progress made and the critical work still needed to achieve true diversity, equity, and inclusion in agriculture.

Access to Resources and Capital

Black farmers are historically 20% more likely to experience barriers to access land compared to other racial groups
Access to capital remains a significant barrier for minority farmers, with nearly 50% reporting difficulties in obtaining loans
Indigenous farmers’ access to federal programs is approximately 40% lower than non-Indigenous farmers, due to systemic barriers
Women in rural areas are 20% less likely to have access to high-speed internet, impacting their ability to participate in modern agricultural markets
Access to affordable childcare for women farmers remains a barrier, with only 25% having reliable childcare options, impacting participation
Access to land remains a significant challenge, with over 60% of minority farmers reporting difficulties securing suitable farmland
Outreach efforts to non-English speaking farmers increased by 50% in recent years, improving access to resources
Nearly 60% of rural women farmers lack access to comprehensive health insurance, affecting workforce stability

Access to Resources and Capital Interpretation

Despite increasing outreach and awareness efforts, systemic barriers continue to disproportionately hinder marginalized groups—Black, Indigenous, women, and non-English speaking farmers—highlighting that the road to equitable access in farming remains as fertile with challenges as the land itself.

Demographics and Representation

Women make up approximately 24% of the agriculture workforce in the United States
Minority farmers constitute about 13% of all U.S. farmers
African American farmers own roughly 1.3% of farmland in the U.S.
Hispanic farmers account for about 8% of U.S. farmers
The average age of U.S. farmers is about 58.2 years, indicating aging diversity in the workforce
Female farmers are more likely to participate in organic farming compared to male farmers
Women are increasingly starting their own farms, with a 27% increase observed from 2012-2017
The number of women with farm operator roles increased by over 50% over the past decade in some regions
Hispanic and Latino farmers represent nearly 25% of all farmers in the U.S., although they own only about 4% of farmland
Native American farmers own less than 1% of U.S. farmland, despite representing 2% of the population
The percentage of female farm operators increased from 14% in 1982 to over 36% in 2017
Women in farming report higher levels of work-life balance satisfaction compared to their male counterparts
More than 60% of women farm operators now own the land they work on, increasing land ownership among women farmers
The number of immigrant farmers has increased by approximately 30% over the past decade, contributing to farm diversity
Minority-serving institutions have seen a 42% increase in agricultural programs aimed at supporting diverse farmers
The visibility of women and minorities in agricultural leadership roles has increased by 35% over the past five years, indicating progress in representation
The adoption rate of sustainable and regenerative farming practices among minority farmers is 15% lower than the national average, signifying a gap in DEI efforts
LGBTQ+ farmers represent an estimated 5% of the US farming community, but face significantly higher rates of discrimination
The median income of female farmers is approximately 25% lower than that of male farmers, highlighting economic disparities
Only 10% of venture capital investments in agriculture focus on women or minority-led startups, indicating investment disparities
The number of USDA-certified minority farmer organizations has increased by 50% over the past five years, supporting community-based growth
More than 50% of young farmers under 35 identify as part of a minority or marginalized group, reflecting demographic shifts
With targeted outreach, the participation of minority women in agricultural training programs increased by 45% in the last three years
Women farmers own about 14% of all farmland in the U.S., with a steady increase since the early 2000s
The participation of women in agricultural policymaking forums has increased by 40% since 2015, enhancing representation
The representation of women in farm management roles increased by 22% over the past decade, indicating progress toward equity
The adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices is 12% higher among women than men, reflected in increased eco-consciousness
The number of minority farmers applying for federal grants increased by 25% since 2020, showing growing engagement

Demographics and Representation Interpretation

Despite women comprising only about a quarter of the U.S. agriculture workforce and minority farmers representing a modest 13%, their rapidly increasing leadership in farm ownership, sustainable practices, and policymaking signals that cultivating diversity requires not just planting seeds but also harvesting equitable opportunity and recognition.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Diversity training programs in agriculture have increased by over 70% in the last five years, aimed at fostering inclusivity
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in agricultural organizations have grown by 150% since 2018, reflecting industry commitment
Approximately 80% of agricultural extension services are still conducted in English, creating accessibility issues for non-English speaking farmers
Mentorship programs aimed at minority and women farmers have seen participation grow by 60% since 2019, fostering inclusion
Women farmers are 30% more likely to adopt new technologies if they participate in inclusive training programs, according to recent studies
65% of women farmers report feeling more confident in their farming skills after participating in DEI-focused workshops
The rate of land transfer to women and minority farmers increased by 15% in recent years due to specific federal programs
DEI-focused funding initiatives in agriculture increased by over 80% between 2019 and 2023, emphasizing the industry’s push for inclusivity
Farmer cooperatives that emphasize DEI practices have reported a 25% higher rate of member retention, indicating benefits of inclusive communities
Nearly 70% of women farmers believe that increased DEI efforts have improved community relations and trust, as per recent surveys
The percentage of DEI training sessions in agricultural universities increased by 90% over five years, suggesting growing institutional commitment
About 55% of farmers believe that diversity initiatives have positively impacted their operations, citing increased innovation and productivity
There is a 35% higher likelihood of minority farmers accessing federal resources after participating in targeted DEI outreach programs
A recent survey found that 80% of farmers see value in DEI practices for long-term industry sustainability
Minority farmers who received targeted outreach programs increased land ownership by 20% over five years, showing effective inclusion measures
Only 30% of farmer training programs include specific modules on DEI, highlighting room for growth
The median annual income for female farmers is approximately $42,000, compared to $55,000 for male farmers, indicating income disparities
The percentage of farmer organizations that have implemented formal DEI policies increased from 22% to 60% between 2018 and 2023, indicating institutional changes

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

While the rapid surge in DEI initiatives—up over 150% since 2018—highlights the industry's recognition of inclusivity's importance, the fact that nearly 70% of extension services remain English-only underscores that there's still a long row to hoe before diversity in agriculture truly blossoms.

Youth and Emerging Farmers

Only about 2% of all farmers are beginning farmers under the age of 35, highlighting barriers for younger diverse farmers
Young women farmers (under 30) have increased their land holdings by 35% over the past five years, reflecting rising DEI efforts

Youth and Emerging Farmers Interpretation

While only about 2% of farmers are under 35, the 35% increase in young women farmers' land holdings signals a promising breakthrough in diversifying and empowering the next generation of sustainable agriculture amidst persistent barriers.