International Year of the Woman Farmer conference to be held in DC

A conference celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer will be held June 1-3 in Washington, one of many celebrations of female farmers taking place around the world.

In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the U.S.-introduced resolution to declare 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). The campaign to introduce the resolution was led by Alexis Taylor, who was then the agriculture undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

The conference in Washington will be sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation with help from other farm groups.

The Washington Conference is called ACE — an acronym for Advocate, Cultivate and Empower — because the gathering “is designed to empower, equip and connect women from across the agricultural spectrum — farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals,” according to the conference website.

SURVEY

Last week, at the National Farmers Union convention in New Orleans, Ohio Farmers Union President Bryn Bird said NFU is sponsoring a survey on women in agriculture.

The Farm Credit Council is launching an initiative to provide leadership development training to female leaders across the Farm Credit System: Advancing Women in Agriculture through Resilience & Distinction (AWARD). The AWARD experience will take place Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, 2026, in Gettysburg, Pa.

“These women are not only leaders in the fields they tend, but in the futures they cultivate,” said Christy Seyfert, president and CEO of Farm Credit Council. “We’re proud to invest in their growth and amplify their stories.”

In January, the Senate passed a resolution celebrating the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the resolution in the Senate, and Reps. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Every day, women across America work to feed, fuel, and clothe our world — and they should receive credit for incredibly demanding jobs. That’s why I am proud to partner with Sen. Klobuchar in introducing this resolution to ensure that female ag producers receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work,” Fischer said.

“We can’t have a strong rural economy without the contributions of the women farmers working every day to feed and fuel the world. By recognizing 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are celebrating the role of women in agriculture, encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in agriculture, and ensuring that women in agriculture have a seat at the table and supporting them once they’re there,” Klobuchar said.

“Agriculture is more than just the backbone of our economy — it is a way of life. Women have always been at the center of that story. Nearly one-third of farmers in my district are women, leading operations, balancing the books, and strengthening our rural communities, often while raising families. I’m proud to lead a resolution making 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer because it’s long past time we recognize the vital role women play in feeding, fueling, and sustaining America,” Hinson said.

“As a longtime farmer, I know both the opportunities and the challenges that women in agriculture face. I’m proud to come from the state of Maine, where more than 43% of farm operators are women. Designating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer gives us a platform to highlight women’s leadership and create momentum that supports the next generation. This recognition is long overdue. Women have always been at the heart of agriculture, although they have not always received equal support or visibility. It’s critical that we work together to remove barriers and build career pathways for women who want to farm, innovate, and lead,” Pingree said.

INTERNATIONAL

The International Fresh Produce Association thanked Fischer, Klobuchar, Hinson and Pingree for sponsoring the resolutions and said, “Through partnerships and engagement with our members, IFPA is committed to elevating women’s voices, sharing their stories, and advancing meaningful opportunities for women in agriculture throughout 2026 and beyond.”

Earlier this month, the government of Italy unveiled a commemorative coin dedicated to the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 at a ceremony at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Developed in partnership with the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy’s State Mint, the 5-euro silver coin represents Italy’s national contribution to the global observance led by FAO, with the participation of Coldiretti, Italy’s largest farmers’ organization. The initiative pays tribute to the essential role of women across agrifood systems — as stewards of land, biodiversity and food security.

“This coin is more than a piece of silver — it tells the story of passion, resilience, inclusiveness, frugality, innovation and of the leadership of women farmers around the world. It tells their story and inspires us to follow their example,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.

FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the United Nations World Food Programme marked International Women’s Day on March 8 with a joint event dedicated to strengthening female farmers’ access to justice, rights and opportunities.