Celebrating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer

California’s female farmers and farmworkers are at the heart of our food system, driving advances in innovation, food safety, quality, and sustainability every day. Whether behind the scenes or in the fields, women are actively shaping the future of agriculture worldwide. To celebrate their contributions, the United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Let’s take a look at how women are impacting agriculture in the Golden State.

Women Grow the Future

Women have always played a vital role in California agriculture – and their influence grows stronger every year. Over the last decade, there has been a 13% increase in the number of female farmers in California. As more women assume leadership roles, they are changing the face of agriculture in real time – making key business decisions and leading the next wave of innovation in food production and sustainability.

Cultivating Sustainability

Because 63% of California farms are female-operated (which means at least one woman is part of the ownership), women are responsible for key decisions about protecting the future of family farms. Whether protecting soil health or finding more innovative ways to conserve water, women are helping ensure California’s farmland stays productive for generations to come.

California: Rooted in Equality, Leading the Nation

Californians have always known that women play an essential role in agriculture, so a woman’s right to landownership has been protected since the inception of the state. So, it’s no surprise that California is home to more female-operated farms than any other major agricultural state. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s farms are run by women, and women make up 38% of California’s agricultural producers!

For more, continue reading at plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov.