Congress Passes Resolution Recognizing International Year of the Woman Farmer

The bipartisan resolution celebrates the vital role of women in agriculture and calls for greater recognition and support.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The National Farmers Union (NFU) is celebrating the passage of a congressional resolution that recognizes 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). The resolution, sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), highlights the crucial contributions of women in agriculture and the need to encourage more women and girls to innovate and lead in the industry.

Why it matters

Women make up a significant portion of the global agrifood workforce, yet their efforts are often overlooked. This resolution aims to raise awareness of the vital role women play in agriculture and rural economies, and to promote greater gender equity in access to land, capital, and resources.

The details

The resolution recognizes that globally, women make up 41% of the agrifood workforce and are frequently the heads of their households. It calls for steps to be taken towards greater collective recognition for these 'unsung heroes that keep us all fed and clothed.' The United Nations has designated the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to lead the global campaign for IYWF 2026.

  • The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmers (IYWF 2026).
  • The congressional resolution was passed on January 30, 2026.

The players

National Farmers Union (NFU)

A national organization that represents family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in the United States.

Deb Fischer

A Republican Senator from Nebraska who co-sponsored the resolution.

Amy Klobuchar

A Democratic Senator from Minnesota who co-sponsored the resolution.

Ashley Hinson

A Republican Representative from Iowa who co-sponsored the resolution.

Chellie Pingree

A Democratic Representative from Maine who co-sponsored the resolution.

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What they’re saying

“In the United States and across the world, women farmers play vital roles in agriculture that are often overlooked. Globally, women make up 41% of the agrifood workforce through all parts of the food chain and production lines and are often the head of their households at the same time. By celebrating IYWF 2026, we are taking steps towards a greater level of collective recognition for these unsung heroes that keep us all fed and clothed.”

— Bryn Bird, Ohio Farmers Union President

“NFU is proud to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer alongside many of our agricultural colleagues. Today's resolution reaffirms one of NFU's core values of gender equity and highlights the need for women to have equal access to land, capital, and resources. NFU is grateful to Sens. Fischer and Klobuchar and Reps. Hinson and Pingree for sponsoring this resolution so that women farmers are able to get the recognition they deserve.”

— Rob Larew, NFU President

What’s next

The United Nations and the FAO will lead the global campaign for IYWF 2026, with the goal of raising awareness and promoting greater support and recognition for women in agriculture.

The takeaway

This bipartisan congressional resolution is an important step in acknowledging the vital contributions of women farmers and ranchers, and in working towards greater gender equity in the agricultural industry. By celebrating IYWF 2026, policymakers and advocates hope to inspire more women and girls to pursue careers in agriculture and to ensure they have equal access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.