Women's Leadership in Agriculture
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Since 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, HMI wanted to give a shout out to some of the women agricultural producers, leaders, and educators in our network. While encouraging whole family participation in Holistic Management training has been a key component of HMI's curriculum, the growth of women in agriculture in America shows the need for such curriculum now more than ever.
The 2022 US Agricultural Census shows that 36.3% of farmers are women (a total of 1.3 million). Female operated farms increased by 27% from 2012-2017. Now over 56% of farms have at least one female decision-maker involved. Globally, women make up 80% of the agricultural workforce.
From 2009-2015, HMI received a USDA-NIFA-funded Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant for our Beginning Women Farmer Program which trained almost 400 women farmers in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Texas. These women have gone on to improve their businesses and provide educational and leadership support to their communities. In fact Farm Bureau's 2019 survey on women in agriculture found that 45% of women serve on boards locally and 75% are leaders at the local level.
At HMI we know we wouldn't be where we are today without our many women leaders who have served on our board or our HMI Educators. We wanted to share these women's stories to let you see why we are so grateful for their support, guidance, and leadership.
Sallie Calhoun
Sallie Calhoun first heard about Holistic Management in 2001 when the person from whom she purchased Paicines Ranch gave her a book about Holistic Management. She then went on to take HMI's Ranch and Range Manager Program along with her ranch manager at the time. She later served as Board Chair at HMI for several terms, providing leadership support learned from over 25 years of leading and developing software and engineering companies
As an impact investor, activist, and philanthropist, Sallie quickly realized the importance of supporting Holistic Management programming, noting: “To me there is probably nothing more important for us to do than to combat environmental degradation and climate change. In order to improve the environment, it takes good land managers and that is what HMI is doing. They’re out training good people who want to be good land stewards, who want to learn how to be able to do that. I think there’s no more worthwhile place to put your philanthropic money than in the practice of Holistic Management.”
Sallie has invested in developing Paicines Ranch into a Holistic Management Demonstration Site, so that other can learn how to improve soil health and sequester more carbon in the soil to mitigate climate change. She is also the founder of the NoRegrets Initiative, which seeks to use a wide variety of forms of capital – human, natural, investment, and philanthropic to affect change in the agricultural system.
Kelly Sidoryk
Kelly Sidoryk, from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada, first learned about Holistic Management over 30 years ago when her father, Dennis Wobeser, first took a Holistic Management course to improve the family's business.
Kelly became an HMI Certified Educator in the late '80s and has taught a number of courses and has worked with many family producers and management groups. One area of focus for Kelly has been the "human" piece, particularly in the area of succession planning as many operations and teams work through the process of transitioning to the next generation.
Kelly and her husband Mike now run KW Cattle Company running owned and custom yearling cattle with a small cow herd. They also have another ranch near Debden, Saskatchewan.
As Kelly notes: "So many in agriculture have strengths in production and finances but the softer human needs are often overlooked, but so important as we work on transitioning operations and transforming lives. All of us are meant to grow and develop and embrace the opportunity to work with others in this way. The opportunities in agriculture are endless and assisting others to actualize their visions is one of the pieces I enjoy the most."
As part of her ongoing leadership and education support, Kelly writes articles for the Canadian Cattleman including this article titled "Super communication: Unlock the secret language of connection". Kelly served as HMI Board Chair for several terms and continues to serve on HMI's Board as a Director.
Liz Riffle
One of HMI's many women educators is Liz Riffle of Riffle Farms in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Liz and her husband, Jimmie, (both veterans) have developed the business model for Riffle Farms to allow for on-farm harvesting of bison to reduce the stress for the animal as there is no transport involved before harvest. Liz was named 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year by Military Friendly.
Military Friendly notes that Liz "has made a significant positive impact on her community through her innovative work in sustainable agriculture and her dedication to supporting local economies. As the owner of Riffle Farms, she has pioneered the first large-scale commercial bison operation in West Virginia, contributing to the state’s agricultural landscape while promoting ecological farming practices that align with regenerative agriculture principles.
"Through Riffle Farms, Liz has created job opportunities and fostered local economic growth by producing healthy, grass-fed bison meat. Her commitment to ethical farming practices has set a standard in the area, encouraging fellow farmers to adopt more sustainable methods and improve the quality of their products. This shift not only boosts the local economy but also emphasizes the importance of responsible land stewardship. Liz's initiative, The Honest Carnivore - A WV Meat Collective, exemplifies her efforts to support local producers while providing consumers with ethically sourced meat.
"This collective promotes transparency in the meat supply chain and connects consumers with local farmers, thereby enhancing community relationships and encouraging the support of local businesses. Overall, Elizabeth Riffle's contributions through Riffle Farms, her economic initiatives, and her leadership in sustainable agricultural education have not only transformed her community but have also inspired a broader movement toward responsible and regenerative farming practices."
Liz currently serves as President of the Eastern Bison Association and as a board member for the Farmer Veteran Coalition, where much of her recent work has focused on elevating others and strengthening the broader agricultural community. Additionally, Riffle Farms has been selected as part of the new Smithsonian bison exhibit opening May 7th. They are the only ecologically verified bison operation east of the Mississippi, and their work highlights how regenerative practices can support both ecosystem health and sustainable food production.
Linda Pechin-Long
Another HMI Educator is Professional Certified Educator Linda Pechin-Long from Winfield, Kansas. Linda has not only providing training in many settings, but is currently the Director of the Kansas and New Mexico Grazing Networks for the National Grazing Lands Coalition. Linda is also a Maxwell Leadership Coach and a DISC Consultant.
Linda brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in livestock, grazing management, and regenerative land stewardship. As the founder of Graze the Prairie Resource Management, she combines practical background with a deep commitment to helping people grow resilient operations, strong teams, and healthier land.
Linda leads most consultations and coaching sessions, supporting farmers, ranchers, and land leaders who are ready to move from stuck to strategic. Her husband and partner, Keith Long, brings over 40 years of livestock production and grazing experience, offering insight, support, and a sharp eye for genetics and pasture performance. Together, they steward both people and pasture.
In an article for CanvasRebel Linda notes: "More than anything, I want to be known for making a difference in the lives of the producers I worked with and helping them realize that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand. I want future generations of farmers and ranchers to continue an approach to agriculture that honors the land, supports healthy communities, and builds a lasting legacy."
Thanks to all our women leaders, advocates, and educators supporting the growth of regenerative agriculture and Holistic Management!