Latest News From Women in Ag

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I think of the many strong dairy women we have working on farms all across this great nation. For all of you farm girls out there, continue to shine bright.

Just weeks after breaking her own record for the U.S. women’s indoor mile, Purrier St. Pierre, a dairy farmer turned track star, won the women’s 3,000-meter race at the World Athletics Indoor Championship.

NBA superstars Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith learned how to hand milk a cow on live television thanks to a Madison, Georgia dairy farm, Big Sandy Creek Farm.

Are leaders made or born? “Some people are more naturally disposed to being leaders, but it doesn’t mean they’re good at it. To be a really good leader, you're made into one through intention and exposure," she says.

Elle Purrier St. Pierre was fired and fueled to become the best version of herself. The Vermont dairy farmer recently broke her own U.S. record in the women’s indoor mile at a race in New York City.

Fifteen years into growing a farm and a family together, everything changed for Ron and Sherri Prins and their four young kids. A diagnosis made the couple lean on their faith and on one another more than ever before.

Three National Young Cooperators share about their journey with training and leadership development that has helped propel them forward.

This past January, Val Lavigne became one of Dairy Management Inc.'s (DMI) newest board members. Leading up to this point, Lavigne has always been intrigued with checkoff and involved in her local efforts. 

Annette Ostrom's legacy will continue to live on at World Dairy Expo by celebrating the show's youth, the future leaders of the dairy industry.

Annette Ostrom's legacy will continue to live on at World Dairy Expo by celebrating the show's youth, the future leaders of the dairy industry.

Emma Kuball, a 19-year-old college student from Waterville, Minnesota, representing Rice County, was crowned the 70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way in an evening ceremony Aug. 23 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. 

Childcare presents a unique challenge for producers looking to balance farm and family. Is there a way to allow children to free-range without compromising safety, mental health and productivity?

As Mary Pat Sass’ social media shows glimpses of life from the seat of the tractor, it’s not the view she envisioned for her life even a decade ago. But through humor and candor, she's now an inspiration to others.

Recently, Ashley Hagenow traded in her rubber boots for heels as she was selected to serve as the 76th Alice in Dairyland. She will promote Wisconsin agriculture across the Badger State throughout the next year.

Louise Malecha wears her titles as a badge of honor—that of a farm mom, farm wife, nana, businesswoman and entrepreneur. With her newly released second book, Malecha can also add published author to her long resume.

Twenty years, Scott and I were married on our family dairy farm. It all goes by quickly, especially when you build a family and expanded a farm simultaneously. It’s all kind of a blur.

Tucked in the rolling hills of a quaint New England town, Fairholm Farm in Woodstock, Ct., a century-old farm’s recipe for success also includes technology and securing additional profit sources.

An estimated 12,000 youth were injured on farms, with 4,000 of these injuries due to farm work in 2014. Sydni Mell and her brother Sam, both who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, understand that statistic all too well.

Farm moms are in the fields, milking cows, feeding calves, paying the bills and somehow still manage to put supper on the table. They are very involved in their community and show up at their kid’s school events.

While there is uncertainty ahead, there are also big opportunities for the younger generation. Dive deep into what colleges and universities offer to help you navigate your future career.

The Institute for the Future predicts that nearly 85% of the jobs that today’s students will do in 2030 don’t exist yet, underscores how big of a task it is for colleges to prepare students for a changing future.

It's hard to just pick one cookie when it comes to ordering Girl Scout cookies. And it’s hard to find a better combo than cookies and milk. This inspired Girl Scouts of Western Washington and Darigold to team up.

After sponsoring women runners at the 2022 Marathon in NYC, this year Milk aims to extend support even further, sponsoring every woman running any marathon who signs up for Team Milk

Amber Horn-Leiterman witnessed her mom doing it all—contributing to the farm, as well as caring for the family. The Wisconsin dairy mom says it’s okay for moms to let down their superwoman powers and ask for help.

While the letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America, FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA also welcomes members who aspire in numerous other careers.

A dozen years ago, Walnutdale Farms experienced something a farm never wishes to happen. The Michigan dairy lost its milking parlor in a fire in 2010. Since then, the family dairy has grown in more ways than one.  

A regular on The Weather Channel, dairy farmer, Tara Vander Dussen joined live from her eastern New Mexico dairy to talk about the dairy industry’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. 

New England dairy farmer, Melissa Griffin shares a love for music and cows and says that working together in an orchestra is similar to working together as a family unit on a family farm.

If your spouse dies, look into filing Form 706 Federal Estate Tax Return with the IRS. Taking that step could help you protect farm assets so they pass to your heirs without estate taxes. The process isn't automatic.

Brooke Taylor shares her battle with cancer on her Rural Gone Urban social media accounts. Now, she's working to spread joy to others through her Rural Gone Urban Foundation to leave a legacy larger than cancer.

Krysta Harden shares her decades of participation with 4-H and program that has changed over the decades, with more than half now coming from suburban and urban areas.

Alongside her family, Emily Zweber enjoys selling the bounty of their century farm, which includes an organic dairy and sustainably raised chicken, eggs, pork and beef

Young and exuberant, Katelyn Packard would say that everything kind of fell into place with her role and responsibilities as a sixth-generation dairy farmer in Manchester, Mich.

Pennsylvania teenager Reese Burdette continues her medical recovery from a 2014 housefire and returns to the showring at a Harrisburg dairy competition.

The 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers.

Exploring leadership challenges that women encounter as they navigate careers in the dairy industry and prepare for future success was a conversation recently discussed in a recent NMPF Young Cooperator program webinar.

Tyler and Amanda Radke have three goals on the farm: provide peace with a place to heal, experience a family full of love and introduce them to a household strong in faith; a recipe that’s filled with grit and grace.

The NY Farm Girls have become a social media sensation. With nearly 645,000 followers on TikTok, the three sisters share the truth about dairy farming, even when faced with negativity that can sprout on social media.

Dairy Girl Fitness creator, Emily Shaw launched Dairy Girl Fitness, an online personal training and health community that has a growing social media following – as women desire to get fit and healthy.

Maryland dairy farmer not only has a garden, she also has a garden to share. Visitors get more than an opportunity to pick flowers. They get to tour a dairy farm and be reminded of all the good that life has to offer.

While agriculture has traditionally been a male-dominated workplace, the gender gap is slowly improving. However, dairy industry leaders understand the strides need to be greater, as the gap still exists.

The names Evelyn, Claudia and Jojo Leubner might not ring a bell, but if you search for NYFarmGirls on social media, you’ll quickly see they certainly have made a name for themselves by sharing their dairy story.

My 15-year-old daughter, Cassie is going places simply because she is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and work harder than everyone else in the room – or on the farm.

Five years to the day after her father’s cows left, Mitzie Blanchard moved back to the family farm. The determined young woman raised a successful herd of cows and four sons who learned the true meaning of hard work.

Bar S Ranch was devastated by wildfire in December. The family lost 200 head of cattle, houses and barns. Grateful to be alive to share their story of survival, the family is thankful for donations and support since.

Fueled by a pandemic, teachers are quitting at a higher rate. Thankfully Olivia Zurcher doesn’t add to that statistic. Born and raised on her family's dairy farm, Zurcher combines her love for ag with teaching.

Named IDFA 2022 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year, the Hildebrand's have been at the forefront of innovation — from their processing plant to multifaceted industry partnerships to tapping into the A2 milk market.

Since day one on the new CEO job with DMI, Barb O’Brien has gone into every conversation with her notepad and her ears open to what farmers have to say. “I want farmers to feel ownership of this program."

Tractor rollovers, grain suffocations, deadly fumes — the list goes on. Farming is one of the deadliest professions in the world. Dairy farmer, Cathy Mess considers herself very lucky to not add to that statistic.

Megan shines bright in all that she is involved with on the farm and off. Her latest endeavors includes sharing dairy messages on her TikTok account, that has reached millions.