Women in Agriculture: Building Stronger Farms, Businesses and Communities

Women play an important role in agriculture, from managing farms and growing food to building agricultural businesses, educating communities, and introducing new approaches to land stewardship.

On September 15, women from across the agricultural community will come together for Women in Agriculture, an opportunity to learn, exchange experiences, and build relationships with others who understand the opportunities and challenges that come with working in agriculture.

This year’s event comes at an especially fitting time. 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the contributions women make to agriculture and food systems around the world.

The event will feature Roxanna Segovia-Beltran, owner of Gandyn Doulah Permaculture Garden Design & Consulting.

Roxanna works with individuals, families, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to create regenerative garden spaces that support food production, healthy soils, environmental education, and community resilience.

During the program, she will share lessons from her work designing sustainable landscapes and helping communities use regenerative agriculture to rethink how they grow food and care for the land.

Working in agriculture often means managing much more than what happens on the farm.

The program will include a conversation about balancing family responsibilities, farm work, business ownership, and off-farm careers. Participants will have an opportunity to hear practical strategies, share their own experiences, and connect with other women facing similar challenges.

That conversation reflects a national reality. USDA Economic Research Service data for 2024 show that women were the principal operators of approximately 270,500 U.S. farms, with another 173,000 women contributing as additional operators. Among female principal operators, 43% reported a primary occupation outside farming, demonstrating how often agricultural responsibilities overlap with other careers.

USDA also provides resources designed to help women start, grow, and protect agricultural operations, including access to loans, conservation assistance, disaster assistance, and other programs.

These conversations matter locally, too. Howard County is home to a diverse agricultural community that includes produce farms, livestock operations, flower farms, equine businesses, CSAs, pick-your-own farms, agritourism destinations, and specialty producers. The HoCo Fresh directory currently showcases farms across all of these categories, giving residents and businesses a way to find and support local agriculture.

HoCo Fresh reports that Howard County has 318 farms averaging approximately 125 acres, with agriculture ranking among the county’s top five industries.

Supporting the people behind these operations means more than supporting food production. It means helping agricultural entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, connecting farmers with resources and strengthening an industry that remains an important part of Howard County’s economy and identity.

Whether you’re a farmer, grower, agricultural entrepreneur, educator, or someone interested in sustainable agriculture, Women in Agriculture offers an opportunity to learn from others, exchange ideas, and build connections within the agricultural community.

🌾 Discover local agriculture: Explore farms and agricultural businesses across Howard County through HoCo Fresh.

🌱 Find resources for women in agriculture: Learn about programs, opportunities, and support available through the USDA Women in Agriculture.

🤝 Connect with a national network: Learn more about the National Women in Agriculture Association (NWIAA) and its work to support and empower women in agriculture.