Why Women in Agriculture?

At over one million strong, women make up over one-third of our nation's farmers.  (24% of farms have a woman as the principal operator according to 2018 USDA data, up from 14% in 2012.)  In RI, women make up over 41% of farmers. 

There are groups dedicated to young farmers; they invite not only the young to attend, but the young at heart, or those "young" at farming.  Other specific agricultural groups devote their primary focus to livestock, urban agriculture, or organic farming, but welcome folks from all areas to learn with them.  Rhode Island Women in Agriculture seeks to provide educational and building opportunities for women in agricultural industries.  We are building a place where we can learn from each other, teach one another, and inspire all.  Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings and conferences to learn with us, and help support Women in Agriculture.

2023 Conference

Online Registration is open for the 2023 RI Women in Ag Conference on March 7, 2023! This year's conference features Joel Salatin as our keynote speaker. Joel co-owns Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia with his family. Featured in the New York Times bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma and award-winning documentary Food Inc., the farm services more than 5,000 families, 50 restaurants, 10 retail outlets, and a farmers market with salad bar beef, pigaerator pork, pastured poultry, and forestry products. When he’s not on the road speaking, Joel’s at home on the farm, keeping the callouses on his hands and dirt under his fingernails, mentoring young people, inspiring visitors, and promoting local, regenerative food and farming systems.
A limited number of free tickets are available for those 18 and under and enrolled in a 4-H Club or High School FFA Chapter. Chapter or Club must be input at registration.

Past Conferences

Our previous RI Women in Ag conferences have included panels on: Beginning Farmers, Marketing 101, Grant and Loan Opportunities, Challenges for Women in a Man's Workplace, Livestock Management, Safety Rules for Transporting Animals, GAP-Food Safety and HACCP Plans, Soil Health and Composting, Marketing: What works and What Doesn't, and many other relevant topics.  We have also been lucky to have a number of leading women, both locally and nationally, speak in front of our conference attendees.

Vendors and Sponsors

Are you interested in being a vendor or sponsor for our 2023 conference? Vendor tables are $120 which includes one conference ticket. Reach out to us at riwomeninag@gmail.com to become a vendor or for sponsorship opportunities.