The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, joined by 15 partners in the International Year of the Woman Farmer working group, has launched a new online information hub aimed at celebrating and advancing women in agriculture. The site went live on Oct. 15, the International Day of Rural Women, as a way to highlight the global contributions of women farmers and bring together the many efforts already underway to support them.
Around the world, women produce nearly half of the food supply, yet they continue to face hurdles in accessing land, capital, and leadership roles. The new information hub is designed to serve as a central home for stories, research, and resources focused on elevating women in agriculture.
A major feature of this effort is the National Women in Agriculture Study, a nationwide project led by the American Farm Bureau Federation that seeks to better understand who today’s women agricultural leaders are, where they contribute, and what barriers still stand in their way.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, 1.2 million women were agricultural producers in 2022, making up 36 percent of all U.S. producers — a sizable and still rapidly evolving part of the farm workforce. The study aims to identify the challenges and opportunities within that landscape and offer practical insights for strengthening engagement and support systems. Ultimately, the project aims to shine a brighter light on the leadership, innovation, and resilience women bring to the agricultural sector.
“The International Year of the Woman Farmer provides an opportunity to honor and empower women shaping the future of agriculture,” said NASDA President Amanda Beal. “Through collaboration with these key stakeholders in the agriculture industry, we can highlight the achievements and challenges of women farmers while building resources that can inspire meaningful change.”
The working group includes a broad cross-section of the ag community: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Farmland Trust, American Soybean Association, Annie’s Project, Corus International, Dairy Farmers of America, Farm Credit, Dairy Girl Network, Equal Origins, International Fresh Produce Association, NASDA, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Young Farmers Coalition, Public Lands Council, and U.S. Dairy Export Council. Their yearlong collaboration will build momentum heading into 2026, which the United Nations designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
That momentum will carry into the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE Summit, set for June 1 to 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Hosted annually by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit brings together women farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals for leadership development, networking, and advocacy training. The results of the National Women in Agriculture Study will be unveiled during the event. All women working in agriculture are invited to participate as the summit focuses on equipping, empowering, and connecting attendees in ways that strengthen both their individual leadership and the broader ag community.
These efforts, alongside additional events planned throughout 2026, reflect a shared commitment from NASDA and its partners to elevate the women who are shaping the future of food and agriculture. The new information hub is available at nasda.org/IYWF, and several organizations in the working group are already speaking publicly about why this initiative matters.
“Farm and ranch women contribute so much to our society, from rural communities to big cities all across the globe,” said Isabella Chism, an Indiana farmer and chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee. “We’re delighted to work together with a variety of partners across the agricultural industry to honor those contributions, cultivate learning opportunities, and empower women farmers around the world. The International Year of the Woman Farmer is an opportunity to celebrate and elevate the work of women farmers everywhere.”
The International Fresh Produce Association emphasized the industry-wide impact of greater visibility and leadership opportunities for women, noting that when women’s voices are elevated, the entire food system becomes stronger and more resilient.
Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association, underscored how deeply rooted women’s contributions are in American farming. “Women have always been an important part of farming, and increasingly we are seeing our daughters step up and take over our family farms. So, it’s only appropriate that we honor women farmers in this way. I am particularly pleased that the United States took the lead in establishing 2026 as the year to honor these amazing women.”
Vanessa Garcia Polanco, government relations director for the National Young Farmers Coalition, highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in securing a more equitable future. “Young Farmers is honored to be in coalition with many national and international partners to highlight the role of women farmers in organizing their communities and leading advocacy to increase more equitable access to land, credit, and markets for young people in agriculture.”
Together, these voices reflect what the International Year of the Woman Farmer hopes to amplify: women have always been central to agriculture, and the industry’s future will be stronger when their leadership is fully recognized, supported, and celebrated.
