While the stereotypes of a farmer range from strong men heaving bales of hay to an old man in overalls with a straw hat, recent statistics are defying those stereotypes. Recent studies have shown that the number of female farmers in Pennsylvania is growing steadily.

A random sample of 7,500 American farms showed that 81 percent of the women who responded were involved in the day-to-day operation of the farm, according to a study done in 2001 by Penn State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In contrast, only 46 percent of the women were born and raised in a farm setting.

Local farmers Annette Traban and JoAnn Sengle are a part of the trend in the industry.

Traband, a part manager of the 105-acre Carousel Farm in Centre Hall, has seen a female farmer increase locally.

"Men have an advantage with the manual labor, but there is no reason why women can't do it as well," she said. "I feel I am better at training the horses because I am more patient and empathetic."

The landscape of farming has changed much over the last decade. Lately, farms have struggled to survive low milk prices and poor growing seasons. Many farms are closing their barn doors or getting assimilated into factory farms.

In this grim outlook, women are taking an increasingly prominent role in a once exclusively male world of agriculture. The traditional farmer stereotype is changing to include business-minded women.

Although more and more women are getting into farming, Traband said the 'simple life' is certainly not easy.

"There is a ton of work, and it's not going to be for everyone," she said. "You're not going to be paid a lot for farming."

JoAnn Sengle of Mountainhome Farm in Julian credits the changing face of agriculture for the trend.

"Women are new to farming, so they can bring fresh ideas," Sengle said. "They can do stuff a little off the beaten path and fill a niche."

Sengle and her husband John grow blueberries and raise sheep. John concentrates on growing blueberries and JoAnn is involved in their marketing.

"I love how you have to flex your life," she said. "It keeps us in touch with nature. It gives us what we need spiritually, unlike the hectic town life."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.