Leaning into the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Women in Agribusiness this year expanded their annual Demeter Award of Excellence to include a female farmer category. Last month, Michigan dairy farmer and Farm Bureau member Terri Hawbaker took the stage at the 15th annual Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans to accept the award.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition from Women in Agribusiness in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to attend the Summit and network with so many successful women,” Hawbaker said.
Growing a Diversified Farm with a Focus on Sustainability
Since starting her dairy from scratch in October 2002 with her late husband, Rick, Hawbaker has built a thriving, diversified operation in Pewamo in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, spanning 337 acres and supporting a 150-cow milking herd, 70 replacement cattle, and grass-finished beef.
Her seasonal, pasture-based model that aligns calving with Michigan's natural grazing cycle has cut input costs while improving environmental stewardship and long-term profitability. That commitment to quality has earned her farm several awards, including more than eight Grade A Perfect Score awards, two Outstanding Performance awards, and four Bronze Quality awards, all from the Michigan Milk Producers Association. Hawbaker has also been nationally recognized in publications like USA Today and received individual honors including being a finalist for Michigan Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Achievement Award.
As long as Hawbaker’s list of agricultural accolades is, what really sets her apart is her resilience. For the past decade, she has raised five children as a widow while continuing to grow her business, homeschooling them and instilling values of hard work, accountability and problem-solving. Hawbaker has shown that both family and career can thrive together, making her a powerful role model for women across agriculture.
As one admirer described her journey, “She is the embodiment of a strong female achieving the American dream through grit, innovation and unwavering faith.”
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