Celebrating Montana’s Women in Ag

Women in ag celebrated their successes and rallied around their challenges during Montana Farmers Union’s Western Women’s Conference held at Fairmont Hot Springs Feb. 6-8.

Women in ag from across the state gathered to learn and build community during the conference, which was one of two women’s conferences held by MFU this year.

“Women in community can accomplish anything together,” attendee Kimberly Robinson said.

“I have a lot of big choices coming up that are extremely scary,” said Robinson who raises Dorper sheep near Kila. “And having a group of women together who’ve had the same decisions in their own lives is helping me face those fears and make those decisions knowing I’m not alone.”

Attendees enjoyed hands-on workshops to learn new skills, inspiring speakers, Montana-sourced food, hearing from experts on top issues, and rejuvenation in the hot springs and through fun activities. 2026’s designation as the International Year of the Woman Farmer brought extra significance to the conference this year, with participants celebrating the role women play in agriculture in Montana, the US, and globally.

“Women’s Conference is always a place of rejuvenation, inspiration, and reconnection. Winter and Fall in rural communities are often isolating, and intense seasons of farming and ranching lay ahead with calving, lambing, and planting approaching this spring,” MFU’s Executive Director Rachel Prevost said. “Women’s Conference gives rural women a place to reconnect with themselves and a community of supportive and innovative ag women from across the state.”

In addition to its women’s conferences, MFU offers opportunities for women to connect with each other and resources throughout the year, including Ladies Who Ag, and opportunities to lead through committees and policy advocacy work.

“Don’t take a backseat this year,” Prevost told attendees, urging them to become more involved in their communities.

“My biggest takeaway this year would be that we all need to step up and make ourselves heard, whether that be in our communities or in policy. We need it more now than ever,” said Stine Decker, who farms near Inverness.

“Get to an event or a meeting of any ag-related organization,” she encouraged other women. “It opens all sorts of doors that a lot of people don’t even know exist.”

Learn more about connecting with other women in ag and resources MFU offers at www.montanafarmersunion.com.