NASDA Launches International Year of the Woman Farmer to Celebrate Women’s Global Impact in Agriculture

NASDA declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. President Amanda Beal joins us to share NASDA’s new hub, which highlights the impact of women in agriculture worldwide.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The year 2026 has been designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, shining a global spotlight on the contributions and leadership of women in agriculture. As part of that effort, a new information hub has been launched to elevate the stories and impact of women across the ag sector worldwide.

Amanda Beal, president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the initiative and what it means for agriculture.

In an interview with RFD NEWS, Beal discussed the importance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and why recognizing women’s roles in agriculture is critical to the industry’s future. She also outlined details of NASDA’s newly launched information hub and what resources and information it will provide.

Beal shared additional initiatives planned for the yearlong celebration and shared what is top of mind for her as she continues advocating for farmer priorities amid an already eventful year for agriculture.

Related Stories
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
Heidi Exline with American Farmland Trust shares how their Farm to School initiative helps strengthen the connection between local farms and school food programs.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, notes that many heart-related conditions can be prevented through lifestyle changes.
Fans can catch all the action live starting next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET, following Cow Guy Close. Catch it LIVE only on RFD-TV.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
Mike Knotts with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association joined us with the latest on storm impacts, power restoration, and safety considerations following the ice storm.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us to break down the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision overturning a prior Tax Court decision on self-employment tax for limited partners, the ruling’s impact on farmers, and potential next steps in Congress.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.