The bipartisan resolution recognizes the leading roles women play in American agriculture, fueling Arizona’s economy
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored bipartisan legislation that designates March 24, 2022 ‘National Women in Agriculture Day’ to honor and recognize the leading roles women play in American agriculture, fueling Arizona’s economy.
“Agriculture fuels Arizona’s economy, and I’m proud to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions Arizona’s women in agriculture make creating jobs, boosting opportunities, and feeding millions across America,” said Sinema.
“Thank you to Senator Sinema for cosponsoring a resolution to designate March 24, 2022, as National Women in Agriculture Day. Arizona is the state with the highest proportion of farms owned by women in the nation with 45 percent of farms owned by women. We appreciate all the women in agriculture who contribute to the industry, and we appreciate the Senator for her work in Congress to fight for policies that ensure the future of agriculture in Arizona,” said Stefanie Smallhouse, president of the Arizona Farm Bureau.
The Sinema-backed bipartisan resolution recognizes there are more than 1.2 million female agricultural producers in the United States – more than a third of the agricultural producers in the country. The resolution notes that in 2017, farms operate by women in the U.S. sold $148 billion in agricultural products, accounting for 38% of the total agriculture sales in the United States for that year.
In addition to highlighting the exceptional economic contributions women in agriculture make in the United States, the bipartisan resolution also underscores the positive impact women in agriculture have in leading and feeding a hungry world.
In February, Sinema hosted a roundtable discussion with Arizona farmers, ranchers, and agriculture leaders on strengthening western water infrastructure. During the roundtable Sinema highlighted the positive impacts of her bipartisan infrastructure law makes on Arizona’s agriculture and how it helps strengthen the long-term sustainability of multi-generation family farms.