When you picture a dairy farm, what comes to mind? Rolling pastures, the hum of milking equipment and the steady rhythm of life built around caring for cows and producing wholesome milk. But behind that picture-perfect scene is a story that often goes untold. A story of resilience, leadership and strength. It’s the story of women dairy farmers.
In 2026, Dairy MAX is proud to celebrate The Year of the Woman Farmer, shining a spotlight on the incredible women who keep our industry thriving. These women aren’t just helping on the farm, they’re leading it. They’re managing herds, balancing books, raising families and building communities. They are innovators and advocates for agriculture. And they do it all with humility and grace.
Why This Year Matters
Women have always been a part of dairy farming, but the depth and breadth of their roles have continued to grow. Across the Dairy MAX region and beyond, women lead, manage multi-generational farms, and help shape the future of dairy. They bring unique perspectives to sustainability, animal care and business management—perspectives that strengthen the entire industry.
This year-long celebration is more than a campaign. It’s a commitment to telling their stories—their challenges, their triumphs and their unwavering dedication to feeding families. Through articles, photos, videos and social media, we’ll share what makes these women extraordinary: not fame or fortune, but the everyday courage and heart they bring to the farms across our region.
The Heart of Dairy: Women Who Care
Spend a day on a dairy farm, and you’ll see what leadership looks like. It’s a parent teaching their child how to bottle-feed a calf before school. It’s a farmer checking on cows in the early hours, making sure each one is healthy and comfortable. It’s a business owner negotiating feed prices while planning for the next generation.
Take Tara Vander Dussen, a fifth-generation dairy farmer and environmental consultant. Tara combines her passion for sustainability with her family’s legacy, helping farms adopt practices that protect natural resources. Or Kyndra Brown, who helps manage her family's dairy farm and showcases life on a dairy on social media, all while raising a son with her husband.
One of the defining qualities of women dairy farmers is their commitment to community. They know farming is more than just a living; it’s also about nourishing people. Many volunteer at local schools, serve on agricultural boards and mentor young farmers. They share their knowledge generously because they believe in a future where agriculture thrives.
This sense of community extends to their families. Across many farms, women are integral pieces of the puzzle that keep everything running. They balance the daily demands of farm operations with coordinating schedules, caring for their families, and supporting their children’s dreams.
What stands out most about women dairy farmers is their humility. They put in the work, day after day, caring for their cows, their land and their people. Success is measured noy in accolades, but in healthy herds, thriving families, and strong communities.
That dedication is what makes these women extraordinary.
Join Us in Celebrating
Throughout 2026, Dairy MAX will share stories that inspire, educate and connect. You’ll meet women whose work reflects the many dimensions of farming, where strength and compassion go hand in hand. You’ll see the challenges they face, the victories they celebrate, and why their contributions matter not only to dairy, but to the communities they serve. are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Women who prove that strength and compassion go hand in hand. You’ll see the challenges they face and the victories they celebrate. And you’ll understand why their contributions matter—not just to dairy, but to all of us.
Watch the video trailer for a glimpse of what’s to come, then follow along on our social channels as we honor these incredible women all year long.
Because when women thrive, dairy thrives. And when dairy thrives, communities thrive.
The Year of the Woman Farmer goes beyond recognition. It’s about gratitude and saying thank you to the women who rise before dawn, work long after sunset, and bring care and commitment to every gallon of milk. It’s about sharing their stories and the impact behind them.
Here’s to the women who lead with strength, serve with humility and inspire us all. This is your year.
