Did you know that the United Nations has named 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer? The UN’s goal is to provide empowerment, recognition, and honor for the millions of women around the world who are working to grow stronger food systems, support sustainable agricultural development, and provide and nourish their local communities.
Women are at the center of farming throughout the world and in the USA with the USDA citing that the United States has 1.2 million female farmers, accounting for over 1/3 of the country’s 3.4 million farmers and food producers. These Farmers are women who work with the land in many ways: market gardening, ranching, food preservation, agroforestry, livestock farming, shepherding, foraging, urban farming, winemaking, and many other diverse types of agriculture. They are the women that work tirelessly throughout the year to provide food, connection, and care to the people in their local communities and beyond.
WWOOF-USA is very proud to support women farmers in the United States: over 500 farms in the WWOOF-USA network are women-operated, and nearly 60% of WWOOFers on the platform are women. WWOOF is helping to empower women around the country and world to learn more about their local food systems, gain practical farming skills, and connect with community and the earth in many beautiful and beneficial ways.
Keep your eyes on our blog and social media posts this year as we highlight amazing Women Farmers from across the United States to share their stories, impact, and the care they add to the world.
In the meantime the NASDA has a collection of stories and interviews from farming women across the USA with inspiring stories – check them out here!
