WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of Women’s History Month and National Agriculture Week, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today cosponsored a bipartisan resolution to designate March 24 as “National Women in Agriculture Day.”

The resolution seeks to honor both women who lead farming operations, and those who work in various commodity and industry fields, such as research and development, manufacturing, sales and distribution, agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and international trade.

“National Women in Agriculture Day is a time for us to praise the countless women whose dedication helps keep food on our tables and our national agricultural economy thriving,” Wicker said. “I encourage all Americans to join in celebrating the over 1.2 million female agricultural producers in the U.S. for their commitment and contributions.”

“As Women’s History Month and National Agriculture week converge, it only makes sense to recognize the women who have been instrumental in the agricultural sector and keeping our nation clothed and fed,” said Hyde-Smith, who was twice elected Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce before becoming a Senator. “Whether it is farming, research, agricultural education or agribusiness, National Women in Agriculture Day is an opportunity to honor all women who keep Mississippi’s largest industry thriving.”

Agriculture in Mississippi ranks as the state’s leading industry, generating more than $8.3 billion in fame-gate value of agriculture and forestry production in 2021 and presenting 18.6 percent of the state’s economic activity. Mississippi agriculture and forestry employs approximately 17.4 percent of the state’s workforce either directly or indirectly.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced the resolution with more than 55 cosponsors. Click here to read the resolution.