Celebrate Women Farmers. Spotlight Real Stories.

Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is proud to celebrate the women making an impact across the agrifood system, from the field to the supply chain and beyond.

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International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

Women farmers drive progress in agriculture every day through innovation, stewardship, and leadership. In recognition of the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is proud to celebrate the women making an impact across the agrifood system, from the field to the supply chain and beyond.

Empowering women in agriculture strengthens entire communities.

 By supporting women farmers, you can drive meaningful, lasting impact:

Meet Some of the Women Powering the Agrifood System

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Agriculture has never simply been our occupation. It is the foundation of our family's life. Today, every member of our growing family plays an active role. Together, we remain committed to serving the agricultural community and ensuring our family's legacy of hard work and stewardship continues for generations to come.

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Kerri Lee Wiggins
National Watermelon Promotions Coordinator | Wiggins Farms | Center, Texas, USA
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Hoje tenho o privilégio de fazer parte de uma sucessão familiar formada exclusivamente por mulheres. Liderar, para mim, é unir coragem, responsabilidade e propósito para transformar pessoas, desenvolver a indústria de alimentos e representar o agronegócio brasileiro com orgulho. Se a nossa trajetória inspirar outras mulheres a acreditarem que também pertencem aos espaços de decisão, então estaremos construindo algo muito maior do que uma empresa.

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Raíssa Ninelli
Diretora de Operações / Sócia Fugini Alimentos | Monte Alto/Cristalina, SP/GO, Brasil
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I am passionate about creating opportunities for women in agriculture to be seen and heard. Through storytelling, networking, and leadership development, I help showcase the expertise and innovation of the women who are helping shape the future of our industry.

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Megan McKenna
Senior Director of Marketing & Foodservice | National Watermelon Promotion Board | Winter Springs, Florida, USA
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Empowering women farmers begins with telling their stories, creating opportunities for leadership, and encouraging the next generation to see themselves in agriculture. I hope to inspire young women to pursue careers in agriculture and help bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

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Katelyn Lindsay
2026 National Watermelon Queen | National Watermelon Association | Jenkinsburg, Georgia, USA
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Nasci no mesmo ano em que nasceu a empresa da minha família e cresci acompanhando sua evolução. Escolhi a Agronomia para transformar conhecimento em resultados e, hoje, lidero nossa produção com foco em qualidade, inovação e sustentabilidade, acreditando que preparo e persistência abrem caminhos para mais mulheres no agro.

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Kelly Gouveia Batista
Diretora de Produção / Engenheira Agrônoma | Batista, Agronegócio de Hortifruti | São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Heredé el legado de mi padre y hoy estoy a cargo de la planeación, la administración, el manejo agronómico, las ventas y la coordinación de la inocuidad alimentaria en tres ranchos. Desde hace más de 10 años he estado involucrada en cada surco y en cada cultivo, asegurando que cada uno llegue a la cosecha con los más altos estándares de calidad e inocuidad.

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Claudia Iveth Zarate Flores
Agrónoma y Gerente de Producción | Hortalizas y Granos El Venado | Juventino Rosas, Guanajuato, México
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For three generations, my family grew vegetables in open-field agriculture led by men. Today, around 70% of our greenhouse workforce is women, many of them are mothers. When I walk through the greenhouse, I don't just see rows of lettuce. I see women discovering what they are capable of.

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Sabrina Torres Tortolero
Protected Agriculture Manager | Agricultores El Fuerte | Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico
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I grew up on a cattle ranch and learned early the value of long days and hard work. I've now spent over a decade working to continuously improve the varieties available to growers. I'm proud to lead a team dedicated to advancing vegetable production every day.

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Valerie Pantone
CEO | TS&L Seed Co. | Woodland, California, USA
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I work alongside my family to continue a strong agricultural legacy rooted in Florida farming. I serve as President of the Florida Watermelon Association, advocating for the watermelon industry at the state and national levels, and as a teacher at Bell Elementary, I work to educate and inspire the next generation.

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Carrie Thomas
Owner, Diamond 99 Watermelon Sales | President, Florida Watermelon Association | Bell, Florida, USA
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I'm a fifth-generation Salinasian who has worked in agriculture my entire career. I always enjoy meeting other women in agriculture, especially those just starting out. I try to share my experiences and the advice my mentors gave me: keep an open mind and never be afraid to ask questions.

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Kate Hitchcock
Harvesting Manager / New Product Developer | Mesa Packing, LLC | Salinas, California, USA
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Mi compromiso en la agricultura siendo mujer es muy grande, con mi trabajo y mi pasión por el campo quiero poner mi semilla a las futuras generaciones, que sepan que este trabajo no es solo para hombres, las mujeres somos fuertes, sabemos hacer las cosas muy bien y podemos liderar, cuidar la tierra y construir un futuro más fuerte para nuestras familias y comunidades.

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Neyma Chavez
Gerente de Operaciones Agrícolas | Rancho Daniela | Chihuahua, Camargo, México
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Learn About International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

Get an overview of the initiative, explore official UN information, and learn more about how you can make a difference via the UN FAO website.