Key Takeaways
- Women in Agribusiness has added a female producer-only category to its annual WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, exclusive to 2026 in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
- The organization is partnering with the American Farm Bureau Federation to promote the award and participate in the selection committee process.
- Nominations are being accepted through June 22, 2026, with recipients to be honored at the Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans on September 22-24.
- The award joins three traditional categories that Women in Agribusiness has presented annually since 2013, requiring nominees to have minimum 10 years of industry experience.
- Recipients receive complimentary registration to attend the summit and accept their award on stage, with AFBF representatives participating in the presentation ceremony.
Women in Agribusiness Expands Award Program
Women in Agribusiness (WIA) has announced the addition of a special female producer category to its annual WIA Demeter Award of Excellence program. The new award category, exclusive to 2026, recognizes the United Nations' designation of this year as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is partnering with WIA to promote the award opportunity and serve on the selection committee. This collaboration marks the fourth award category joining the three traditional awards that have honored exceptional women in agribusiness since 2013.
Leadership Perspectives on the Initiative
“It was more than fitting that we extend our popular WIA Demeter Award of Excellence to highlight a female farmer this year in light of the United Nations' declaration of it being the International Year of the Woman Farmer,” said Svitlana Synkovska, portfolio director for WIA.
