-
Image
Pearls of Production kicks off its celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer with a Feb. 22 keynote webinar featuring Carey Portell.
Portell is a resilient force in the agricultural world who has overcome the physical limitations imposed by a serious car crash to become a successful cattle farmer, author and speaker, said Heather Conrow, University of Missouri Extension livestock and statewide poultry specialist.
“Carey Portell’s keynote will inspire participants to see challenges as opportunities,” Conrow said. “Her story of resilience and determination offers practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, both in agriculture and in life. Attendees can expect to leave motivated, empowered and ready to tackle the future with confidence.”
Pearls of Production has played a pivotal role in Portell’s life, providing a supportive, like-minded community, Portell said.
“Initially, I felt a common ground with the other attendees and realized there are other women out there who want to work the farm just as I did,” she said. “I felt like I was part of a community very quickly.”
Pearls of Production also introduced Portell to Missouri AgrAbility, which she says changed her life. “I received the guidance that I needed not only to work on the farm as a woman but as a partially disabled woman,” Portell said.
The United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight the important roles women play in ensuring global food security.
Pearls of Production will continue to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer throughout 2026, hosting monthly webinars featuring female farmers and ranchers from around the world.
Register online. For questions, contact Heather Conrow at hconrow@missouri.edu or 660-248-2272.
Pearls of Production is made possible through partnerships with USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Missouri AgrAbility, Missouri Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, MFA Rural Mental Health Awareness, University of Missouri Extension, and other collaborators. All are committed to advancing production agriculture, supporting community resilience and nurturing the next generation of farm and livestock professionals.