Senate Resolution No. 1844

BY: Senator HELMING

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 21, 2026, as Women in Agriculture Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon
which our distinct American heritage is built; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2026, as Women in
Agriculture Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Women in Agriculture Day and National Women's
History Month; and

WHEREAS, Hardworking American women farmers provide New York State,
the Nation, and much of the world with a safe, healthy, affordable, and
abundant food supply; currently, there are more than 1,200,000 female
agricultural producers in the United States, which accounts for roughly
36% of all agricultural producers; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, women owned approximately 46% of all farmlands or
about 407,000,000 acres; in the same year, women-operated farms in the
United States sold $222,000,000,000 in agricultural products, accounting
for 41% of total agriculture sales; and

WHEREAS, Women working in agriculture also make a difference across
the United States in various commodity and industry fields, such as
research and development, manufacturing, sales and distribution,
agricultural education, and agribusiness and advocacy, which extends
benefits to individuals across the globe through the international trade
of the United States; and

WHEREAS, In addition, women farmers are vital in fostering the next
generation of the agricultural workforce by promoting STEM and
agricultural education, entrepreneurial and community initiatives, and
by serving as mentors for 4-H, FFA, the Cooperative Extension System,
and numerous postsecondary agricultural science educator programs; and

WHEREAS, The celebration of National Women's Agriculture Day is in
recognition of women farmers from all racial, ethnic, socio-economic
backgrounds and walks of life, who feed us and our families every day,
and serves as a time to recognize the importance of agriculture as a
vital industry and economic driver in New York State; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2026, as Women
in Agriculture Day in the State of New York, honoring and recognizing
the important contributions of all branches of farming to the health,
economic well-being, environment, beauty, and future of New York State;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; USDA Farm Services Agency; and NY FarmNet.