Governor Celebrates Women Farmers

Governor Abigail Spanberger yesterday brought together women from across Virginia agriculture to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognize their work to keep the Commonwealth’s number one private industry strong.

In Charlottesville, Governor Spanberger met with farmers, agriculture leaders, and students in Virginia FFA and 4-H programs, presented a proclamation honoring the International Year of the Woman Farmer, and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting family farms across the Commonwealth.

“Virginia’s farmers and producers work tirelessly to keep Virginians fed and serve as the backbone of local economies across our Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “I can’t begin to tell you how impactful it has been to be with you today and to hear the real-world experiences and stories. Thank you for what you do, what you bring to Virginia, to our economy, to our communities, and to the strength of the very fabric of who we are.”

According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, there are approximately 25,237 women farmers in the Commonwealth — representing 37 percent of Virginia’s agricultural producers. Since taking office, Governor Spanberger has made supporting agriculture and forestry a priority for her Administration and the Commonwealth.

This summer, Governor Spanberger signed into law a bipartisan bill to create Virginia’s first-ever Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan — which will lay out a strategic roadmap to strengthen Virginia’s number one and number three private industries. The plan will address growing domestic and international market opportunities, building resiliency, revitalizing the forestry industry, workforce development, and more.

Governor Spanberger was joined by Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Sesha Moon, and Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University Dr. Jewel Bronaugh.

“I want everyone in Virginia to be able to find a way to resonate with what we know is at our core and our culture here, which is agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. “Our goal is to leave behind the Secretariat of Agriculture and Forestry in a better place than we found it.”

“Women play such an important role in making sure families are fed across the country,” said Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Sesha Moon. “In Virginia, we are working hard to support women farmers and provide them with the resources they need to be resilient, particularly in the face of recent challenges.”

“Where you start isn’t necessarily where you end, and that’s the message for farmers and ranchers that we work with, our students that we work with,” said Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University Dr. Jewel Bronaugh. “That we can change our history through education, through support, through workforce development, through research, and that’s what we do at Virginia State University with those resources. And I’m proud of the work that we’re doing.”