Empowering Women in Agriculture: Highlights from the ACE Summit

By Bailey Corwine and Julia DeSalvo

Advocates from the U.S. and abroad gathered in Washington, D.C., in early June for a landmark event honoring the role women play in farming and ranching communities. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership program drew nearly 500 individuals to the International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit.

Hosted by AFBF in conjunction with a strong coalition of U.S. agrifood system stakeholders, the event not only celebrated the International Year of the Woman Farmer but applauded the contributions women make to agriculture each day. Over the course of three days, attendees gained skills to strengthen their voices and bolster their leadership within the agriculture community.

A group of industry visionaries discussed how 2026 came to be the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The panelists noted how work in their respective fields sparked the collective idea and a campaign that resulted in an official declaration. Panelists included Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council; Alexis Taylor, chief global policy officer at the International Fresh Produce Association; Karla Thieman, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at JBS USA.

Panelists also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the impact women have in agriculture by “measuring what matters,” pointing to AFBF’s Women in Agriculture Study that was released during the Summit. The study provides a comprehensive look at the many hats worn by women in agriculture as well as opportunities to better support them.