Women in Agribusiness Names 2026 Demeter Award Recipients

The Demeter Award recognizes professional achievement and contributions across agriculture.

Women in Agribusiness Summit 2025

RTW Photography/RTW Photography

NEW ORLEANS, La. (RFD News) — Women in Agribusiness has announced the four recipients of its 2026 Demeter Award of Excellence, the organization’s highest honor recognizing women for their contributions to agribusiness.

This year’s recipients are U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Krysta Harden, Bayer Crop Science Senior Director of Innovation and Enterprise Operations Dr. Magan Lewis and American Egg Board President and CEO Emily Metz.

Terri Hawbaker, owner of Grazeway Dairy Farms in Michigan, was also selected in the new Female Farmer of the Year category, added in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Now in its 14th year, the Demeter Award has recognized more than 40 women for their professional achievements and work supporting women across food and agriculture. More than 60 nominations were submitted for this year’s awards.

The four recipients will be honored during the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Summit, scheduled for Sept. 22-24 in New Orleans.

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Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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