Survey Results: How Do Farmers Prefer To Be Addressed? What Terms Do You Prefer?

By Farms.com Team

Many different terms are used to refer to people who farm.

The terms "grower", "producer" and "farmer" are used interchangeably by the ag media, agribusiness professionals, extension personnel and others.

But what do the people who produce food, feed, fiber and fuel prefer to be called. Iowa State University rural sociologist J. Arbuckle asked them that very question in this year's Iowa Farm Poll.

"We gave them a list of five terms-farmer, producer, farm operator, grower and rancher-and asked them to select the one that they felt best describes them," Arbuckle says, "and 'farmer' came out on top-60 percent of farmers would prefer to be called 'farmers'."

Tied for second on that list were "producer" and "farm operator", both with 18 percent.

Only three percent of those who responded to the Iowa poll preferred the title of "grower", and only one percent considered themselves "ranchers".

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on January 5, 2012 at 3:28pm

In Ontario - I think Farmer is my preferred term.

▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Kyle Hildebrand 2025 North American Technician of the Year!

AGCO recognized a Canadian technician as its 2025 North American Technician of the Year after a challenging competition that tested technical skills, diagnostics, and customer service.

Canada Upgrades Storm Warning System

Canada has improved severe storm and tornado warnings with targeted alerts, faster notifications, and better safety information to help people stay informed during dangerous weather events.

Fertilizer Made from Locally Available Rocks

Researchers have developed a fertilizer from local African rocks that could improve crop growth, reduce costs, support sustainable farming, and help strengthen food security.

Global Priorities for Wheat Research

The 4th International Wheat Congress in Italy highlighted how global collaboration, joint funding, and extension services help Canadian producers tackle shared agricultural challenges.

Alberta Crops Still Above Average, But Moisture Extremes Mean Farmers Can Expect Two Different Harvest Stories

Provincial crop ratings remain stronger than the five-year average, but Alberta farmers are dealing with a sharp regional split: declining moisture in the South and Central regions and persistent wet conditions farther north. Alberta’s 2026 crop is still looking comparatively strong heading into August, but the provincial average masks very different conditions from one end of the province to the other. As of Aug. 4, 58.1 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were rated in good-to-excellent condition. That is well above the five-year average of 42.7 per cent and close to the 10-year average of 53.9 per cent. At the same time, the provincial rating slipped from 60.3 per cent a week earlier, reflecting growing pressure in several regions. The bigger story for farmers is the province’s moisture divide. Parts of southern and central Alberta continue to dry out, with soil moisture reserves declining. In the North East, North West and Peace regions, producers are facing almost the opposite p

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service