The 2026 Women in Agriculture Awards presented by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation brought together a group of recipients whose work spans nearly every corner of the industry. Held on March 8 in Calgary during the Advancing Women in Agriculture and Food Conference, the ceremony recognized women from across Alberta working in research, ranching, finance, community leadership, and advocacy. Taken together, they reflect how broadly the definition of agricultural contribution has expanded.
The range of this year's recipients is striking. Dr. Brenda Ralston was recognized for her applied livestock research at Lakeland College, where she has mentored dozens of students and integrated them directly into trial design and data collection. Many of those students have moved into graduate programs or industry careers, carrying rigorous science-based thinking into the next generation of the sector. On the financial side, Michelle Rigney received the Ignitor award for mentoring new agricultural lenders and delivering financial education to producers who are just entering the industry, filling a gap that often goes unaddressed in rural communities.
Community infrastructure was another thread running through the awards. Alexandra Brochu founded Northern Rural Chicks, a network focused on connecting women in northern agriculture and opening conversations around leadership development and mental health. Lisa Kitt was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of small-scale producers and her commitment to regenerative agriculture practices. Jordyn Prior received the Emergent award for her work with the Co-op Growing Leaders Program and her leadership within 4-H Alberta, both of which focus on bringing younger people into the industry with the skills and confidence to stay.
These recognitions matter beyond the individuals receiving them. They signal where agriculture is heading: toward more diverse leadership structures, stronger rural networks, and a broader understanding of what expertise in the sector looks like. The producers, researchers, lenders, and community builders being celebrated are not outliers. They represent a shift that has been building steadily and is now visible enough to be formally acknowledged at a provincial level.
For a closer look at the companies, cooperatives, and agricultural businesses driving this industry forward, the agriculture and farming marketplace offers a practical view of the global supply chain behind the food and resources that reach markets worldwide.
