ARLINGTON, VA – With the dawn of 2026 begins the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF). This designation spotlights the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 will raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
In honor of this recognition of women’s contributions to the agrifood industry, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is pleased to launch a video podcast called “Voices From The Barn”. Hosted by USDEC President and CEO, Krysta Harden, this podcast features conversations with women leaders in the dairy industry from both the U.S. and around the globe. We’ll be sharing monthly episodes throughout 2026 in celebration of this initiative.
“Women are the backbone of our dairy industry, often working and leading the industry right beside their male counterparts, often without the much-deserved credit,” Harden said. “One of the reasons I chose to accept my current role with USDEC is because of the strong women leaders the dairy industry has.”
Women demonstrate their leadership prowess not only on the dairy farm, but through contributing to the economic prosperity of their families, providing nourishment for thousands of others through their dairy farm management and serving in leadership roles in dairy industry organizations. Marilyn Hershey and Becky Nyman exemplify such leadership and are upcoming guests on the podcast. Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer, is the current board chairperson for Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), parent company of USDEC, and Nyman, a California dairy farmer, serves as DMI board treasurer and USDEC chairperson.
Be sure to check often for new episodes of “Voices From The Barn” on the USDEC website.
