Women Farmers in the Spotlight in 2026

The United Nations is recognizing 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, aiming to spotlight the contributions of women in agriculture and agribusiness. The American Farm Bureau Federation and 15 other U.S. members of an IYWF working group are collaborating to elevate this initiative on several fronts, including the launch of an information hub dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in agriculture.

“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 row crop farmer and chair of AFBF’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 AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee has planned a full slate of programming for the year ahead, including the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit in Washington, D.C., June 1–3. This signature event — held in recognition of IYWF — will empower, equip and connect women farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals. Through skill-building sessions, high-impact networking and advocacy-focused programming, attendees will strengthen their voices and leadership within the agricultural community.

Also of note, the Women in Ag Survey, open through the end of March, will explore women's leadership and involvement, access to the industry, identify barriers and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to strengthen engagement and support systems. The survey is open to all women 18 and older from the U.S. and Puerto Rico who have an interest or involvement in agriculture, and also those who work in production agriculture, agribusiness, education, advocacy and related fields.