Women in Ag Award 2025: A Global Platform Empowering Women Transforming Agriculture
Agriculture is more than a livelihood—it is the heartbeat of global sustainability, innovation, and food security. Yet, behind many of the transformative advances in this sector are women whose stories often go untold. The Women in Ag Award 2025 seeks to change that narrative by shining a global spotlight on the remarkable contributions of women across the agricultural value chain.
Now in its fourth year, this prestigious award recognizes women who are leading change in farming, agribusiness, education, and technology & research, offering them a powerful platform for visibility, connection, and impact.
Organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) in partnership with Women in Ag Magazine, the Award celebrates the vision, innovation, and resilience of women from over 40 countries. Whether pioneering climate-smart farming, transforming agribusiness models, teaching the next generation, or innovating agri-tech solutions, these women are unlocking new frontiers in agriculture.
The Award goes beyond recognition—it builds a global network of trailblazers who inspire others and reshape the future of food systems. With the 2025 edition culminating at AGRITECHNICA in Germany, the stage is set once again to amplify the voices of women who are redefining agriculture—one bold idea at a time.
An Empowering Global Competition
The Women in Ag Award 2025 is a prestigious, international competition designed to honour and elevate outstanding women working across the agriculture value chain. Now entering its fourth edition, the Award is a partnership between:
- DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society)
- Women in Ag Magazine
- Opportunity Desk, which amplifies the call and showcases success stories globally (opportunitydesk.org, dlg.org)
Since its inception in 2021, the Award has attracted applicants from over 40 countries, spotlighting diverse roles—from smallholder farmers to tech-savvy agribusiness entrepreneurs and academics .
Why It Matters
- Visibility & Recognition: Awardees receive global visibility via features in Women in Ag Magazine, DLG’s media channels, and events like AGRITECHNICA 2025 in Germany (dlg.org).
- Networking & Mentorship: Connect with an international community of peers, mentors, and industry leaders.
- Inspiration for Women: Winners act as ambassadors and catalysts for change, inspiring future generations and driving gender equity in agriculture.
Kim Schoukens—Editor‑in‑Chief of Women in Ag—reframes the Award: “It’s more than recognition… it’s about visibility, empowerment, and building connections that make a difference.” (dlg.org, womeninagmag.com)
DLG CEO Freya von Czettritz emphasizes the broader impact: “Diversity and variety… are indispensable pillars… strong drivers of success for the global economy” (dlg.org).
The Four Categories
Nominees compete in one of four categories, each tailored to pivotal areas of agriculture:
| Category | Focus | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Farming | Sustainability & innovations on-farm | Farmers, livestock managers, cooperative leaders |
| Agribusiness | Business models, supply chains | Entrepreneurs, agritech startups, value chain managers |
| Education | Teaching, extension | Teachers, consultants, agri-communicators |
| Technology & Research | R&D, agri-tech | Researchers, engineers, developers |
Each category awards top three finalists, selecting standout women whose work embodies innovation, impact, and leadership (dlg.org, womeninagmag.com).
Who Can Apply?
This Award is inclusive and global. Eligible candidates:
- Identify as female
- Work in agriculture, agribusiness, animal production, research, extension, education, media or agro-communication
- Are engaged in innovation, leadership or impact within their category (dlg.org)
Applications are free, in English, and open to all nationalities, without geographical restriction .
Application Components & Rules
To be considered, your submission must include:
- Personal profile (name, country, role, affiliation)
- Online application form
- Portrait photo
- At least two high-resolution visuals of your work in agriculture
- A 2-minute video portrait, in English or your native language (with English subtitles) (ivtinternational.com, womeninagmag.com)
Important rules & criteria:
- Only one application per person—per category (multiple entries disqualify all)
- Submit before deadline—31 July 2025 at 23:59 local time
- Complete packages only—missing any requirement means ineligibility
- Judging criteria: innovation, quality of presentation, professional contribution, and positive impact on local or global agriculture (womeninagmag.com)
Application Deadline & Awards Ceremony
- Deadline: 31 July 2025 (local time)
- Selection Process:
- Reviewed by an international jury of experts from farming, academia, media, and industry (ivtinternational.com).
- Entries evaluated for innovation, clarity, global/national relevance, and real-world impact .
- Ceremony:
- Winners announced and honoured at AGRITECHNICA 2025 (Hanover, Germany; 9–15 Nov 2025) (womeninagmag.com).
- The Award rotates between AGRITECHNICA and EuroTier, with 2025 featuring AGRITECHNICA (dlg.org).
What Winners Gain
- Global Recognition: Featured in Women in Ag Magazine, DLG platforms, and high-profile events.
- Industry Connection: Doors open to collaboration, investment, and thought leadership.
- Networking & Role‑model Status: Join a global collective of inspiring women driving agricultural transformation.
- Media Exposure: Winner portraits and interviews amplify your voice and mission.
Past awardees, like Kate Hoare (2023 Farming winner), were invited to sponsor collaborations (e.g., with New Holland), boosting their visibility and connections (dlg.org).
Storytelling That Resonates
The Award is built on narrative and passion. In their guidance, DLG and Women in Ag advise focusing on:
- Authenticity: Share what fuels your work—your passion, motivation, roots.
- Innovation: Quantify your contribution: yield increases, waste reduction, educational reach, tech adoption rates.
- Impact: Showcase change you’ve driven—community transformation, environmental gains, youth engagement.
- Vision: Share your long-term goals and legacy for agriculture’s future.
Why Enter?
- Platform for impact: Share your story and amplify achievements on a global stage.
- Empowerment: Recognition opens doors and validates your leadership.
- Community: Join a global sisterhood driving agricultural progress.
- Momentum: Use Award visibility to secure partnerships, funding, or support.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit the [Women in Ag Award portal] via DLG or Women in Ag Magazine.
- Choose your category—align with your core strengths.
- Prepare materials:
- Written: concise bio & overview of your work.
- Visuals: impactful, high-resolution photos showing your environment.
- Video: 2 minutes max—clear message, English or subtitles.
- Complete the online form and upload files.
- Submit before 31 July 2025.
- Share the news – let colleagues, mentors, and communities know you’re in.
- Follow-up – stay connected via email or social media.
Tips for a Stand-Out Application
- Choose The Right Category: Align strengths with category focus (e.g., agritech with Tech & Research).
- Strong Narrative: Emotional hook, clear journey, call to action.
- Professional Quality Visuals: Crisp, well-lit, relevant to your work.
- Metrics Matter: Provide impact figures when possible.
- Subtitles Demoted? For videos in other languages.
- Peer Validation: Quote mentors or community feedback in submissions.
- Preview & Polish: Review all inputs—typos and glitches can hurt credibility.
Aligning Broader Initiatives: Building Women Leaders
This Award aligns with other Opportunity Desk-backed programs championing women in ag, such as:
- AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Sciences (deadline: 12 Feb 2025) (facebook.com, agritechnica.com, opportunitydesk.org, womeninagmag.com, opportunitydesk.org)
- AWARD African Women in Data Science Fellowship 2025 (deadline: 31 Jul 2025) (opportunitydesk.org)
These programs support women across spectrum—from data science to on‑farm leadership—building a global pipeline of female ag leaders.
Real-World Success: Award Alumni in Action
- Kate Hoare (UK, 2023 Farming winner): Installed biomethane slurry lagoon on a dairy farm—transitioned to energy self-sufficiency and inspired green innovators (agritechnica.com).
- Onyaole Patience Koku (Nigeria): Runs a 12,000‑bird broiler farm while promoting science and efficiency within local agribusiness (agritechnica.com).
- Judith de Vor (Netherlands): Hosts workshops, open‑farm events, and supports biodiversity education on her regenerative dairy farm (agritechnica.com).
- Anna Maria Nunez Vega (India, Agribusiness): Founded the Rice Milling Academy, improved grain storage, and strategizes digital value‑chain breakthroughs (agritechnica.com).
These examples emphasize the Award’s mission: recognize leadership rooted in innovation, community, and sustainability.
Testimonials from the Field
Kim Schoukens (Women in Ag Mag):
“It’s amazing how these Awards… motivate other women in our industry. We’re more capable than we give ourselves credit for.” (womeninagmag.com)
Freya von Czettritz (DLG):
“We are putting the spotlight… Diversity… are indispensable pillars… strong drivers of success.” (dlg.org)
Kate Hoare (2023 winner):
“I was incredibly honoured… The award is a great way for companies to find outstanding candidates….” (dlg.org)
Conclusion
The Women in Ag Award 2025 is more than a recognition—it’s a catalyst for scaling impact, forging meaningful networks, and advancing gender equity in global agriculture. If you’re driving innovation in farm management, supply chains, education, or agri-tech, this is your moment to be seen and heard.
Deadline: 31 July 2025. Visit the Women in Ag Award portal, choose your category, and apply with purpose and pride.
Leave a Reply