California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross Highlights International Year of the Woman Farmer at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA

FRESNO, CA - California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross is highlighting the International Year of the Woman Farmer during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA (USA); a campaign prompted by the United Nations and the CA Grown program to raise awareness and promote the essential global role women hold in the agriculture industry, from production to trade.

"Women are helping to grow the future of California Agriculture. The number of dynamic, fearless, accomplished women leading farms, driving innovation and shaping the future of food has grown more than 13 percent in the last decade,” said Karen Ross, California Secretary of Agriculture, in the recent release. “We need to celebrate their contributions to the global agricultural industry here at the World Ag Expo where we are witnessing cutting edge technology, equipment and educational opportunities, and every day.”

California is home to over 45,000 women producers who collectively steward more than 11 million acres of farmland. Women play essential roles across the food system that are critical to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. Their essential role in every facet of the food and farming system is celebrated at the World Ag Expo, where more than 100,000 visitors from 70 countries are scheduled to visit. The event hosts over 1,200 exhibitors displaying state-of-the-art technology and equipment over a three-day period, as well as educational opportunities, including seminars by agricultural experts and cooking demonstrations by California Grown.

Secretary Ross is joined at the International Year of the Woman Farmer event by CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong. CDFA representation at this year’s World Ag Expo also includes Deputy Secretary Arima Kozina and staff from the department’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) and Inspection Services Division, as well as the State Board of Food and Agriculture.

Food influencers including Alison Needham a creator for the California Grown campaign, Aida Mollenkamp the founder of Salt and Wind Travel, prune grower Hilary Porter of Erick Nielsen Enterprises, U.S. Sweet Potato Council President Sarah Alvarnaz, and many more women in agriculture are in attendance during a reception to honor their contributions.

The California Grown program brings together industry and government resources to increase the awareness, consumption and value of California agricultural products, helping consumers enjoy the best of the California lifestyle, and to recognize the Golden State’s role in food, beverage and flower production across the nation and the globe.