What Did You Miss at WIA Summit 2026? Attendees Weigh In...
By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (October 5, 2026)
More than 650 attendees from across the ag supply chain, 41 U.S. states and 13 countries represented, 60+ industry expert speakers, 20+ sessions and hours of networking -- that was Women in Agribusiness Summit 2026. That, and so much more!
Seventeen exceptional women were recognized with exemplary performance awards -- 4 with the Demeter Award of Excellence and 13 for the new WIA Leadership Awards. Twenty-eight young women in ag attended through the WIA Student Scholarship Program. Attendees enjoyed a picturesque rooftop reception, sponsored by Cargill, and offsite reception to Mardi Gras World, made possible by our sponsorship with Syngenta. Adding to the educational aspect were a grain terminal tour to CHS that got rave reviews, and a walking coffee tour that sold out within two weeks! And of course, content, content, content.
Here's what some of our attendees had to say on social media, mixed in with plenty of photos. Write to mmarshall@womeninag.com to let us know what you liked (and of course, what we can improve upon).
And, mark your calendars for the 2027 Women in Agribusiness Summit -- September 8-10 at the Minneapolis Hilton (and get the early bird rate until October 12).
“I’m leaving my first Women in Agribusiness Summit with new knowledge, new connections and an even greater appreciation for the industry I work in. I’m already looking forward to attending again in the future and continuing to learn more about agriculture from every point along the supply chain from fertilizer to the farm and beyond.” – Asia Arnold, Sales Operations Specialist with Food Security Solutions DMCC
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"One of my biggest takeaways from this week was the value of connection. I had the opportunity to meet and learn from so many incredible women leaders across agribusiness, each bringing their own experiences, perspectives, and strengths to our industry. Perhaps the most meaningful reminder was the importance of showing up as your authentic self. There is so much value in recognizing that the qualities, experiences, and personality you bring to the table are part of what make you an effective leader.” – Savanah Webb, Crop Protection Field Sales Rep, Bayer Crop Science.
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“There are so many reasons I appreciate this conference — the energy, the learning, the chance to reconnect with people I’ve known for years, and the opportunity to meet women from across agriculture who are willing to share their experiences, ideas and perspectives.” – Maria McWhorter, Key Account Manager with DTN
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“I had great conversations, made new connections, and met some truly wonderful women. I was also proud to be there with CropLife America President and CEO Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, who joined a panel during the Summit. I feel fortunate to work alongside a strong female leader and to learn from her experience and insights.I left New Orleans with fresh perspectives and an even greater appreciation for the women making their mark in agriculture.” Annemarie Pender, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, CropLife America
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“One of my favorite parts of the Summit was learning from farmers and agricultural companies from across the country. I also had the opportunity to tour the CHS grain terminal and see firsthand how grain moves from barges to ships for export. It was fascinating to see a part of agriculture’s supply chain that I don’t normally get to experience.I’m heading home with new ideas, new connections and lots to share. I’m excited to put what I learned into action!” – Katie Brown, Member Engagement Manager, Land O’Lakes
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“This conference has always been a place of renewal for me. It's a chance to reconnect with longtime friends, meet new inspiring women (including the growing community of other outspoken vegetarians in ag!), and gain fresh perspectives on the issues shaping our industry….
One thing that really stood out to me was attendance. Seeing roughly 650 women this year compared to more than 1,000 in previous years made me wonder: where have all the women gone? As companies reduce travel budgets, networking opportunities, and professional development resources, it's more important than ever that we continue to invest in each other and stick together. To the women in agriculture who may be wondering if these communities still exist: they do. The leaders, mentors, advocates, and champions are still here. I'm still here. Let's keep showing up, supporting one another, and creating space for the next generation of women in ag!” – Jamie Dreher, director of underwriting, Portfolio Monitoring, American AgCredit
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“I’m leaving the Women in Agribusiness Summit feeling grateful and so inspired! Hearing other women’s stories was one of my favorite parts and I loved meeting the other student scholars and sharing this experience with them. Thank you to everyone who made these days in New Orleans so memorable. I’m heading home with new connections, memories and a lot of motivation for what comes next.” – Rosa Maria Santos Valenzuala, MSc. Student, Ingeneria Agronoma, EARTH University, 2026 WIA Student Scholarship recipient
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Read more about the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Summit in these press clippings.
