Future of farming is female Females are fast becoming the future of farming. MILWAUKEE - Females are fast becoming the future of farming. In fact, a recent census by the USDA Census of Agriculture showed that 35% of farmers in the U.S. are women. Seven people will get technical diplomas in May in the Dairy Herd Management program at Lakeshore Technical College. All seven are female. It is a first since the program began in 1973. "There’s always people who are like there’s no way you do that," said Lily Charapata, one of the upcoming graduates. At 5'2" tall, many underestimate Charapata's strength.