A Farming Dream
For most people, the word “farmer” paints a certain image in their mind. Often the image contains a man wearing overalls, layered in dirt and driving a tractor. However, for Robin Dunn, the picture is different. She looks down at her weathered hands, across a wheat field or at her own reflection in the mirror to see a farmer.
Robin is the sole operator of Dunn’s Landing.
She is one of the 6,700 women in Kansas and 280,000 women in the United States who hold the title of principal farm operator. Although many people see farming as a male-dominated business, women account for more than 30 percent of all principal farm operators, according to the 2012 U.S. Census. Collectively, these hard-working women sell more than $12.9 billion in agriculturally related products each year.
Robin’s farm, Dunn’s Landing, is located in Wellsville, Kansas. Her great-grandmother, Duanna Dunn, purchased the farm in 1907. In 1993, Robin took full ownership of the 1,000-acre working farm. Since then, Robin has worked tirelessly to maintain it.
Robin can never remember a time she didn’t want to be a farmer. When she was growing up, though, women weren’t encouraged to be farmers. So, she went to college to be a teacher with a double major in P.E. and business. Throughout college she spent each summer working on the farm. After graduation found herself in southern California doing landscaping work, but she never stopped dreaming about moving home to the farm. When the opportunity arose to move back to Kansas, Robin said she couldn’t stop smiling.
Now, she farms close to 1,000 acres of row crops, hay and pasture, maintains approximately 50 head of cows, two teams of draft horses, three golden retrievers and 50 laying hens.
When people see Robin, they see a hardworking, dedicated farmer who just happens to defy the stereotype.
During the month of March, Women’s History Month, take time to thank the women around you who have dared to take steps off the beaten path, women who defy stereotypes and the women who make a positive impact on your life.