In the boiler room it was mentioned that as soon as they told a lady they were farmers the conversation abruptly stopped.  I was left the feeling after reading other posts that others have had similar experiences.

The only thing I've ever encountered was disbelief.  For some odd reason over the years when I said I was a farmer people didn't believe me. 

However the simple answer is when asked what you are simply say I'm a DA.  That is, a diversified agriculturist.  It's usually true and it almost always engenders an interested conversation.