U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Tina Smith announced on Mar. 20 that the Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution designating March 21, 2026, as National Women in Agriculture Day to recognize the contributions of women in the agricultural sector.
The resolution aims to highlight the roles of more than 1.2 million women producers across the United States and acknowledges their work as farmers, educators, innovators, and leaders within agriculture. The initiative underscores the importance of recognizing women’s achievements during Women’s History Month and National Agriculture Week.
“Women have always been at the heart of American agriculture,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Growing up on a family farm, I saw firsthand the vital role women like my mother played, and today my sister continues that legacy. From family farms to cutting-edge agribusiness, women are leading, innovating, and helping feed and fuel the world. I’m proud to lead this resolution to recognize and support the women who are breaking barriers and shaping the future of agriculture.”
Senator Smith said: “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s economy, and women have always played an essential role in this sector. I’m proud we have introduced this bipartisan resolution to designate a day during Women’s History Month and National Agriculture Week to recognize the achievements of the women across the country who have been the key to our agricultural success.”
In addition to Senate action, Representatives Kat Cammack and Angie Craig led an identical resolution in the House. Other senators expressed support for recognizing women’s efforts in farming communities nationwide through statements included in the announcement.
Ernst’s background includes growing up on a family farm in Montgomery County, Iowa—a place where her parents emphasized hard work and service—according to her official website. She served over 23 years in the Iowa Army National Guard with deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel according to her official website. Ernst became Iowa’s first woman elected to federal office upon joining Congress according to her official website, holds degrees from Iowa State University and Columbus State University according to her official website, serves on multiple Senate committees with a focus on fiscal responsibility according to her official website, and assists Iowans with federal agency matters such as Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, immigration, and military affairs according to her official website.
“As you say grace for dinner on National Women in Ag day, remember and be thankful not just for the food on your plate but also for the thousands of women who worked to get it there: in the fields, in trucks and combines, laboratories, offices, homes, and processing facilities,” said Senator Cramer.
