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Gender differences in the financial performance of U.S. farm businesses: A decomposition analysis using the Census of Agriculture

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  • Monica Fisher
  • Paul A. Lewin
  • Ryanne Pilgeram

Abstract

Farm operation is among the most gender‐unequal occupations in the U.S. Data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture reveals that average net farm income was 151% higher on farms with a male versus a female principal operator. Decomposition analysis indicates the gender gap is almost entirely explained by differences in endowments. Female farmers have lower farm profitability than their male counterparts because their operations use far less capital (land, machinery, and labor), they have less farming experience, and they engage in the production of commodities that are less profitable.

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  • Monica Fisher & Paul A. Lewin & Ryanne Pilgeram, 2023. "Gender differences in the financial performance of U.S. farm businesses: A decomposition analysis using the Census of Agriculture," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(2), pages 1233-1253, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:45:y:2023:i:2:p:1233-1253
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Schmidt & Steven C. Deller & Stephan J. Goetz, 2024. "Women farmers and community well‐being under modeling uncertainty," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 46(1), pages 275-299, March.

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