Women farmers are vital to Canada's agriculture sector and rural communities. Supporting women farmers in developing their business and leadership skills helps strengthen the sector and promote farming as a career for women. This support is especially timely as 2026 has been proclaimed the International Year of Women Farmers by the United Nations.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Natilien Joseph, Member of Parliament for Longueuil-Saint-Hubert, Quebec, announced an investment of up to $179,795 for the Fédération des Agricultrices du Québec (FAQ) through the AgriDiversity Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The project will give women farmers access to personalized support and a network of experts in areas such as financial planning, marketing, legal services and agricultural advisory services. It will also offer interactive workshops on topics such as farm financial management, funding opportunities, communication, conflict management and leadership. Workshops will be offered online and in person in Quebec and Eastern Ontario, giving women farmers opportunities to network and share experiences.
A promotional campaign will showcase women farmers from diverse backgrounds and highlight their essential contributions and leadership in agriculture. The campaign will help challenge stereotypes and encourage more women to consider agriculture as a career.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive agriculture sector where women and other underrepresented groups can build successful businesses, develop their leadership skills and contribute to the future of Canadian agriculture.
