Share Your Story: International Year of the Woman Farmer
July 9, 2026
Written by: Emily Mecke, Roots Program Coordinator and Debra Stein, Impact Strategist
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations named 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (#IYWF2026) to recognize women’s role in agriculture, food security, and land stewardship around the world. According to FAO, women account for 41% of the global agrifood workforce; however, these contributions are often unrecognized and met with inequities. Closing this gender gap could help reduce global food insecurity, as FAO’s gender experts explain in this interview.
Point Blue engages from the local to the global level, including with the United Nations, to align our conservation work with global commitments. Here in California, our Roots Program works with women farmers who are part of this effort. The Roots Program was created to help remove certain barriers for women and others historically underserved by conservation funding. The ultimate goal is to restore native habitat, protect wildlife, and build resilience across working landscapes in partnership with California’s farmers, ranchers, and land stewards. Many of our Roots participants are women running farms and ranches across the state.
We would love to highlight the work of our female farming and ranching partners and connect it to this global effort.
If you are a woman in agriculture and interested in participating, please complete this short online questionnaire, available here.
We may feature your story on @TheRootsProgram_PointBlue Instagram, in newsletters, or other program communications.
