Today's Article

At Gatewood Farm near Willmar, Kristi Gatewood is working 1full-time, while she also works full-time at another job in town. She's early to rise each day, making sure the 2dairy cows are milked and the other animals are taken care of.

"We have the horse and the donkey, 3peacocks, chickens for eggs."

Kristi grew up raising 4hogs and growing corn and 5soybeans. A few years ago she married into her husband's 6dairy operation. And as she's become one of the main operators here, she's joined elite company.

"According to an agriculture census, there are now nearly 20,000 farms in the state where a woman is the primary operator."

That 7equates to about one third of all farms in the state. Numbers that continue to grow.

"I am proud to say I am the fourth generation."

A few miles away from Gatewood Farm is Fixsen Farms. That's where you'll find Sarah Leshuk. She left Corporate America a decade ago to take over her family's 8century-old 9farmstead.

"Early on, we raised 10hemp, potatoes, I mean, lots of different, I mean, it was just a completely different farm way back in the history. But today, strictly corn and soybeans."

And as she gets ready for spring planting, she credits technology for giving her and other women opportunities like this. As a 11precision farmer, she uses software to 12map out when and where she wants to plant.

"When that seed hits the ground, if we don't do it right, if we don't place it right, we can't fix it. With technology, it has allowed others to enter into agriculture as well."

No matter how this year's 13crop turns out, both Sarah and Kristi are sure of one thing. They want to 14inspire the next generation of women in 15agriculture.

"There are so many 16avenues now to agriculture, you know. It used to be just on the farm, well now there's so much more."

"The farm is always busy. It is nice to be able to be your own boss."