By Matt de Simone
Agriculture remains a defining feature of Botetourt County, and in 2026 that focus will expand to recognize the role of women in farming as part of the Year of the International Woman Farmer. The designation highlights women involved in agricultural production, land stewardship and farm management, both locally and worldwide.
As Botetourt County prepares for the yearlong observance, local leaders and producers say it offers an opportunity to recognize women’s contributions to agriculture across generations. From advocacy and education efforts led by the Botetourt County Farm Bureau, to the lived experiences of women working daily on family farms, to the preservation of agricultural history through the Botetourt County Historical Society, voices such as Candace Monaghan, Courtney Henderson and Lynsey Allie reflect the many ways women continue to shape the county’s agricultural landscape.
According to Monaghan of Beaver Dam Farm and the Botetourt County Farm Bureau, local Farm Bureau women are already planning activities tied to the yearlong observance. “Farm Bureau women are planning to highlight women farmers once a month throughout the year on our Facebook page,” Monaghan said. “We are also planning a celebration at the Sunflower Festival to acknowledge them as well.”
Monaghan said the observance aligns with the Farm Bureau’s broader mission of advocacy, education and outreach in support of agriculture. She explained that Farm Bureau policy positions are built from member input, often beginning at the county level before being carried to Richmond and Washington through coordinated advocacy.
Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co. Farm Bureau
She also noted opportunities for farmers to engage directly with lawmakers. “Virginia Farm Bureau (VFB) organizes advocacy events (like Legislative Day, Jan. 25-26, 2026) designed to put farmers directly in front of decision-makers to discuss priorities affecting agriculture and forestry,” Monaghan said.
Political engagement is another component of the organization’s work. Monaghan said the VFB’s Agriculture Political Action Committee operates as a nonpartisan political action committee. “AgPAC endorsements… evaluate candidates and can endorse those aligned with Farm Bureau policy— based on recommendations from local farmer committees,” she said.
Education and outreach remain key priorities. Monaghan pointed to the statewide Agriculture in the Classroom program, which “provides lessons, educator training, newsletters, grants, and initiatives like Agriculture Literacy Week— helping build public understanding of agriculture.” She also highlighted the Women’s Leadership Program, which focuses on “education in local communities, stewardship/outreach projects, and advocacy tied to Farm Bureau policy.”
At the local level, Farm Bureau programs support future generations of agricultural professionals. The Botetourt County Farm Bureau Memorial Foundation awards an annual scholarship to students pursuing education in agriculture or related fields. Monaghan also cited ongoing support for FFA and 4-H programs and community giving efforts, including donations of fresh fruit to local food pantries.
Membership services are another cornerstone of the Farm Bureau’s presence in the county. Monaghan said the Virginia Farm Bureau Botetourt County office in Daleville provides access to membership support and services, and that membership funding helps sustain “programs, educational tools, and events intended to help agriculture prosper.”
While organizational support provides structure, local farmers say the Year of the International Woman Farmer also reflects steady progress within the industry itself. Courtney Henderson, a Botetourt County native and farmer at Cave Hill Dairy Farm, said visibility and opportunity for women in agriculture have continued to expand.
“Over the years, the stigma has always been that women are expected to stay home and keep the house up,” Henderson said. “That was the same stigma when I started here at the farm. I broke that stigma and continue to break it every day.”
Henderson said agriculture has long been shaped by tradition. “Two generations before me believed a female had a place and a male had a place,” she said. “We were not supposed to handle or do each other’s job.”
She said consistency and work have helped change perceptions over time. “However, because I break that stigma and continue to show up, work hard and assist neighbors and such, slowly— and I do mean slowly— I have gained respect and have been seen as a productive member at the farm,” Henderson said. “There are still gaps; mostly just generation to generation, but the gaps get shorter every day.”
She added that modern agriculture is increasingly collaborative. “The supposed ‘men’s world’ has crumbled to become a place where everyone works as one to feed the world,” Henderson said.
For young women considering a future in agriculture, Henderson emphasized individuality and preparation. “Don’t be like the boys, be you,” she said. “I blazed my own trail and did things my way and I strongly encourage others to do the same, especially in this profession.”
She also stressed the importance of guidance and commitment, emphasizing that mentorship, passion and commitment are essential for succeeding in agriculture, noting that the industry is challenging but rewarding and requires genuine dedication.
In addition to current producers, the Year of the International Woman Farmer will also highlight the historical contributions of women in agriculture. The Botetourt County Historical Society is identifying records and artifacts that document women’s involvement in farming throughout the county’s history.
Executive Director Lynsey Allie said the society’s collections reflect a wide range of agricultural labor traditionally performed by women. “We have things like quilts and different textiles in our collection that we hope to highlight,” Allie said. “Quilting, weaving and sewing were mainly work that women did.”
She added that food preservation and household agricultural labor, including canning and dairy processing, will also be featured. Among the items under consideration for display is a mid-20th century home pasteurizer used to sterilize milk on family farms.
Allie also referenced a 1952 newspaper article about the Zimmerman farm in Blue Ridge that includes a section titled “Woman’s Work.” “I’d love to have that out on display,” she said. “And I would really love to include local stories— oral histories or memories from people who grew up on farms or remember the work they did.”
An agricultural exhibit at the Historical Society’s museum in Fincastle is currently in development and is expected to open later in 2026. Allie said the exhibit will make women’s agricultural history more accessible and may include a Women in Agriculture discussion panel.
As planning continues, participating organizations say the Year of the International Woman Farmer is intended to celebrate contributions, share stories and recognize the women who continue to shape agriculture in Botetourt County, past and present.
