International Year of the Woman Farmer
The International Year of the Woman Farmer celebrates the vital role women play in agriculture, from managing livestock and stewarding land to driving innovation in food production and rural development. This year-long celebration honors their leadership, resilience, and contributions by highlighting their stories and creating spaces for connection across the global agricultural community. These sessions will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering innovation, and highlighting diverse perspectives within agriculture.
How Pearls of Production is celebrating
Uniting voices from fields around the world
- FREE monthly Zoom sessions featuring international speakers from across the agricultural world
- Each session offers fresh insights, new voices, and exciting perspectives
- Additional speakers added throughout 2026
- Register for each session individually
- Take advantage of Zoom’s built‑in translation tools to participate in the language that works best for you
Don’t miss this global celebration of women shaping the future of agriculture!
Upcoming Events
December 11-12, 2026 - Grand Finale Conference
Join us for the annual Pearls of Production Conference, designed to provide practical knowledge, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities for livestock producers.
Keynote by Dr. Temple Brandin
December 11, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and an internationally recognized advocate for humane livestock handling and autism awareness. Diagnosed with severe autism as a young child, she credits supportive teachers, mentors, and her mother’s encouragement of her artistic interests with helping shape her path as a scientist. Grandin has designed livestock facilities handling more than half the cattle in the United States and is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, and The Autistic Brain. Her life and work have been featured in the HBO film Temple Grandin.
Back this year is the Future Pearls of Production Conference, a special program for children ages 5–12. Child registration is available only for children of adults participating in Pearls of Production. This addition makes it easier for parents to attend while their kids enjoy engaging agricultural activities.
Wed, Sep. 23, 2026- Neogen Panel
Neogen Panel (United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) brings together international experts in genomic testing and DNA analysis to discuss how science-based tools are transforming livestock production. Panelists will share perspectives from their respective countries on genetic selection, animal health, performance, and profitability, highlighting how data-driven decision-making is helping producers build more efficient and sustainable operations around the world.
Laiza Lung
Laiza is an animal scientist from Brazil with a doctorate in animal breeding and genetics. Inspired by her grandfather’s love of animal production, she has worked in genetics since 2018 and is currently a data analyst with Neogen Brazil, transitioning to its Genetic Prediction Group in the U.S.
Alena de Acetis
Alena is a Key Account Manager with Neogen Genomics, supporting livestock genetics customers across Canada and the United States. She holds degrees in Biology and Business from Queen’s University and works with producers, breed associations, universities, and research organizations. Based in rural Alberta, she is actively involved in cow-calf and grain farming.
Kelsey Luebbe
A Montana native, Kelsey Luebbe is a Technical Services Scientist with Neogen, helping cattle producers apply genomic tools to practical decisions. She holds a PhD in Animal Science and an MS in quantitative genetics. Kelsey and her husband custom-feed cattle in southeast Iowa, connecting research with real-world ranch decisions.
Sharon Watkinson
Based in the UK, Sharon grew up on her family farm, working with a suckler herd and hillside sheep flock. With a BSc in Biomedical Science and a career in genomics, she is now a Senior Field Sales Specialist with Neogen, supporting cattle and sheep producers across EMEA. She also chairs her local moorland grazing association.
Wed, Oct. 28, 2026- Lidia Arend
Lidia Arend (Brazil), a swine reproduction specialist with Topigs Norsvin, is recognized for her work advancing sow fertility, reproductive management, and herd productivity. Through research and industry collaboration, she helps producers implement strategies that improve reproductive efficiency and overall performance while supporting the continued advancement of women in animal agriculture worldwide.
Past Events
Wed, Aug. 26, 2026- Cecilia Rabell
Cecilia Rabell (Mexico), a global leader in animal genetics and livestock production, is known for combining scientific expertise with real-world industry impact. Through her work advancing genetic improvement and livestock performance, she has helped shape the future of animal agriculture while serving as a strong advocate for developing the next generation of women leaders in the industry.
Wednesday, July 22 - Melanie Ramser (Switzerland)
An organic farmer who manages Horbermatt Farm and is known for sustainable agriculture, authentic regional food traditions, and hands-on farm life showcased through the farm’s diverse products and public activities.
Learn more about Melanie Ramser
Wednesday, June 24 - Dr. Louise Bulmer (Scotland)
A Senior Lecturer in Animal & Veterinary Sciences at Scotland’s Rural College specializing in equine nutrition, behavior, and the gut-brain axis, specifically how diet affects equine microbiota and behavior.
Wednesday, May 27 - Judith de Vor (Netherlands)
A 5th-generation dairy farmer and steward of a regenerative, sustainability-focused farm that also hosts visitors each year through its educational programs and farm shop.
Learn more about Judith de Vor
Wednesday, April 22 - Kate Hoare (United Kingdom)
An award-winning dairy farmer from Southeast Cornwall who runs Trenance Farm and has pioneered a highly sustainable, off-grid model using a biomethane-capturing slurry lagoon.
Wednesday, March 25 - Dr. Salma Sultana (Bangladesh)
A Bangladeshi veterinarian recognized for creating innovative veterinary training and outreach programs that support thousands of small-scale farmers.
Sunday, February 22 - Carey Portell, Kickoff Keynote (U.S.A.)
A Missouri cattle farmer and nationally recognized speaker, sharing her story of surviving a devastating drunk-driver crash and rebuilding her life through resilience and adaptation.
Learn more about Carey Portell
Why it matters
Women are essential to farm operations, rural economies, and agricultural innovation. This series amplifies their voices, experiences, and accomplishments while inspiring the next generation of producers.
- Globally, women represent ~40% of the agricultural workforce
- Women wage workers in agri-food systems earn approximately 82 cents for every $1 earned by men (roughly 18% less)
- On farms of equal size, women farmers face a ~24% productivity gap compared with men, largely linked to unequal access to resources and services
- If women had the same access to productive resources as men, their farm yields could rise by 20-30%, potentially increasing total agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5-4%
- FAO reports that closing gaps in farm productivity and agricultural wage employment could increase global GDP by nearly $1 trillion and reduce the number of food-insecure people by ~45 million