Hon. Tracy Muggli: Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize that 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The goal of the year is to shine a light on the essential roles women play across our food systems. In Canada, nearly 80,000 farm operators are women; that is about 30%. In fact, 42% of farms have at least one woman operator.
Agriculture programs are also seeing a growing number of young women preparing for careers in the sector. According to the 2021 census, three quarters of women farmers under 35 years of age have a post-secondary education.
One of those educated female farmers is Lesley Kelly, a grain and oilseed farmer and entrepreneur from Watrous, Saskatchewan. Lesley recently spoke to Agriculture and Agri‑food Canada on their farming podcast called “The First Sixteen.” I recommend it. Lesley spoke about taking on a leadership role at her family farm and co-founding The Do More Agriculture Foundation, which helps to bring national attention to mental health in farming communities. I am a big fan of this work.
When asked about the challenges women still face in agriculture, Lesley said something that I know to be true from our work at the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry: “Success is tied to access.” That’s access to land and capital, to mentorship and opportunities and to conversations about succession and the future of the farm.
My colleagues at the Agriculture and Forestry Committee and I spend a lot of time talking about food security, soil health and the future of Canadian agriculture. I am proud to report that we hear from women day after day who are taking on the challenge of feeding Canada and the world.
Women are conducting research, starting important conversations and asking questions about sustainable practices, emerging science and mental health in farming. Importantly, they are taking on leadership roles across the sector. Just look at my colleague Senator Robinson, who was and remains a strong female voice in Canadian agriculture.
On this International Year of the Woman Farmer, I want to thank the women who have sustained Canadian agriculture for generations and recognize the women who are preparing to lead it next.
Thank you. Meegwetch. Marsee.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.