Global recognition for women farmers in 2026

May 07, 2024

By Farms.com

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This initiative, championed by the USDA and endorsed by more than 100 countries, aims to elevate the status of women in agriculture and tackle the challenges of global food security.

During the announcement, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small underscored the pivotal role women play in agriculture across the globe. They stressed the importance of providing women farmers with equal access to resources, education, and leadership opportunities.

The focus of the International Year of the Woman Farmer is to promote sustainable practices and enhance the representation of women in decision-making processes within the agricultural sector. This initiative will work towards more resilient food systems where women are key drivers of innovation and development.

The USDA has committed to transforming the national food system to be more inclusive and supportive of women farmers. This involves creating fair markets and enhancing local production capabilities, ensuring that women are not only participants but leaders in shaping the future of agriculture.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.