This year at Farmfest, Jane Goplen, from Prairie Lane Farm in Canby, Minnesota, won the Woman Farmer of the Year Award, the second year that the award has been presented and the first year that the award was presented in person.
The 2021 Farmfest, what many people call the sate fair for farming, was held on August third through fifth in person, and the Woman Farmer of the Year Award was presented in the Wick Building. Before the finalist was announced, the assembled audience heard from panelists who addressed topics important to women in agriculture.
One of the questions asked was about ways to encourage young women to get into farming. "I think as women get into agriculture, it's not just that we want you here, we want you in leadership positions here in agriculture," said Sara Hewitt, owner/farmer at Maple Wood Farms. "... I will [recommend young woman] over and over again ... that are going to be in great positions down the road, whether it's president of Farm Bureau or vice president ... or as a CEO of Land O'Lakes, we know we have a female CEO. So all those different places where women should be represented, we have to start now with those young women," she said.
The five panelists for the Women Farmer of the Year award were Erica Sawatzke from Farwell, Jessica Blair from Starbuck, Wanda Patsche from Welcome, Pam Weiers from Henderson, and of course, Jane Goplen from Canby.
After being announced as the recipient of the award, she gave a speech to the gather audience.
"Every step of this has been a surprise to me. First off, being nominated by my husband ... And then to be one of the five was as good as it gets, until today. And so I am just overwhelmed with just a lot of appreciation for the people who've thought of this platform because I really believe that women have a vital role in agriculture," she said.
Goplen is a corn and soybean farmer and works closely with the farm's finances. She appreciated this recognition because it honors people who aren't always recognized in farming and also helps people visualize their community.
"I just would encourage anyone that has a woman involved in their farming, in their operation to nominate them because I'm living proof that anything can happen," she said. "I have always been encouraged and have kind of tucked in my heart a saying that I heard years ago, 'Always have more behind the counter than is on display,' And I think that exemplifies a farm, a woman in agriculture, a man in agriculture, a farmer. They are so multifaceted and are an extraordinary people."
