In 2026, the global agricultural community will shine a long overdue spotlight on women as the United Nations has declared the year the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Supported by 123 countries and led by the United States, this designation recognizes the essential and often underrepresented role women play across the entire agricultural value chain, from farming and ranching to processing, innovation, and stewardship.
California stands at the forefront of this recognition. Women are deeply embedded in the success of the Golden State’s agricultural economy, managing more than 11 million acres and representing nearly 38 percent of all producers statewide, a figure above the national average. Nearly two-thirds of California farms are female-operated, a powerful reflection of women’s leadership in ensuring farming remains viable, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.
Nearly two-thirds of California farms are female-operated, a powerful reflection of women’s leadership in ensuring farming remains viable, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.
Women farmers are not only growing food, but they are also growing the future. Across California, women producers generate more than $22 billion in agricultural sales and are leading advances in soil health, water conservation, and climate-smart farming practices. These efforts closely align with California’s position as a national leader in sustainable agriculture and environmental innovation.
The International Year of the Woman Farmer also serves as a call to action, highlighting the need for equitable access to land, education, capital, and resources. When women farmers are supported, productivity rises, communities grow stronger, and food systems become more resilient.
At California Farmland Trust, we celebrate the women who steward our land, nourish our communities, and preserve farmland for generations to come. In California, farming truly is a woman’s job, and our agricultural future is stronger because of it.