The most recent census data from the United States and New Zealand show a dramatic increase in the number of female farmers and farm managers and support two explanations for this increase. First, the 1970s saw large numbers of women enter traditionally male occupations as many of the formal and informal barriers were removed. One consequence of this movement toward equality was an influx of women into agricultural occupations. A second reason for this increase can be linked to changes in the structure of agriculture. Full-time farming opportunities for men have been decreasing and part-time production is no longer the mode in many areas. To the extent that farm wives--especially those without off-farm jobs--assume responsibility for farm management, there will be an increase in the number of women who begin to perceive themselves as farmers. Each of these explanations leads to a different set of expectations regarding the characteristics of the new female farmers. The first explanation suggests that the increase would be concentrated among younger cohorts of women. The second explanation points to increases among all age cohorts, but concentrated in those cohorts where the number of male farmers is decreasing. (Author/NEC)