By Andi Anderson
Indiana Farm Bureau is spotlighting women leaders across the state in 2026, a year recognized globally as the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the United Nations. The initiative highlights the important role women play in agriculture, education, and community outreach across Indiana.
As part of this effort, Indiana Farm Bureau has welcomed new district education and outreach coordinators to its Women’s Leadership Committee. These volunteer leaders represent multiple regions of the state and support local educational events, agricultural promotion, and Farm Bureau initiatives. Their work helps connect communities with agriculture and encourages public understanding of food and farming.
The Women’s Leadership Committee focuses on educating students, consumers, and policymakers while promoting leadership opportunities for women in agriculture. Members come from diverse agricultural backgrounds, including crop production, livestock, horticulture, education, and agribusiness. The committee provides women with tools to engage in leadership, advocacy, and networking at local, state, and national levels.
“The WLC empowers women in agriculture with the leadership tools and resources they need, whether they want to lead locally, statewide or nationally," said Janis Highley, INFB 2nd vice president and WLC chair. "The committee includes women of all ages from every corner of the state working across the agriculture industry. From row crop, dairy, hog and cattle farmers to horticulturalists, floral business owners and ag educators, these women showcase the variety of Indiana agriculture."
Programming planned for 2026 includes farm safety training, Ag in the Classroom activities for students, professional development workshops, and advocacy trips to Washington, D.C. One of the key public events is Taste from Indiana Farms, held annually at the Indiana State Fair. To honor the International Year of the Woman Farmer, each featured commodity in 2026 will highlight a female-owned farm or agribusiness.
Indiana Farm Bureau notes that this year-long celebration strongly supports the committee’s mission to recognize contributions made by women throughout agriculture. More information about programs and initiatives can be found at https://www.infb.org.
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Categories: Indiana, Business, Education, General, Rural Lifestyle