April 5, 2024  |  9AM-2PM  |  Alparon Park, Exhibit Hall 2  |  Troy, PA

Women supporting and mentoring women. 

The BCCD knows how important agriculture production is to our community and the dedication it takes from everyone to keep a family farm and business running. While we often see men working the machines and fields, we can often miss the labor women are doing back on the homestead. In an effort to bring these women together to celebrate each other's successes the BCCD hosts an annual Women in Agriculture Day.

This free, catered event is a fun filled day of in-depth discussion, business modeling, and networking for agricultural women in Bradford and surrounding counties.  It is not only for well-established farmers, but also women who are just starting out and looking to find mentors in the field of agriculture. 
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2024 Speakers- (From left to right) Denise Delosa, Hailey Painter, Beth Ward, Jessica Newman, Stephanie Vargason

Why does it matter?

  • According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, out of the 2,383 producers in Bradford County 837 of them are run by females. 
  • Out of all the farms in Bradford County 96% are family farms. 
  • From 2017 to 2022 Bradford County lost 9% of its agricultural farms. The 2017 Census of Agriculture found Bradford County had lost 11% of its farms from 2012 to 2017. ​​

By bringing women of agriculture together and allowing them to speak​ and spread ideas, we are helping strengthen our agriculture community and create a collective voice for farmers and producers in Bradford and surrounding counties. 

36% of U.S. farmers are women and
​56% of all farms have at least one female decision maker. ​
2022 Census of Agriculture

Sharing insight to build a stronger community.

The BCCD understands that agriculture is not just field crop and dairy. It is also the small farms that create valuable products for our community. With this in mind we work to invite speakers from all types of agriculture and production backgrounds, such as:
  • No-till gardening
  • Agro-forestry
  • Beekeeping and eco-farming
  • Regenerative agriculture
  • Larger scale and national dairy product distribution
If you or someone you know has a career in agriculture or the production industry and would like the opportunity to speak at one of our Women in Agriculture Day events, please contact Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist, at [email protected] or call at 570-485-3126. 

Cultivating more relationships in the agriculture field.

The best way to build relationships starts by having some fun! The BCCD wants everyone who attends to feel engaged with what they are learning and with the people they are meeting.  Our aim is to cultivate stronger connections within our farming community by uniting women through enjoyable activities and delicious food.
All of us have something to bring to the table when it comes to insight and life experience. By bringing women from all stages and levels of agriculture together, we will be able to carry forward long-lasting traditions and inspire newer generations along the way. 

Our 2024 Speakers

​Jessica Newman- SouthView Station
  • Jessica is the owner and operator of a 100% grass fed and finished Texel Sheep and beef operation.  Her primary goal is to produce superior Terminal Sire Texel Sheep and beef cattle genetics to meet commercial lamb and seedstock producer's needs.  She is a participant in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP).

Denise Howland- Dirt Road Herbals
  • ​​Denise is the owner of a small herbal business in Bradford County.  She attended the North East School of Botanical Medicine taught by 7Song in 2011 and is currently enrolled in the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, Vitalist Herbal Practitioner program, and Rosemary Gladstars The Science and Art of Herbalism. Her business focuses on teaching, growing, making and selling all natural herbs and medicine free of preservatives and artificial bases or colorants.

Beth Ward- Maple Hollow Products
  • Beth is the owner of a clean botanical beauty company whose products are from wild-crafted and cultivated herbs grown on her farm. Her farm focuses on sustainability and conservation with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. 

Stephanie Vargason- Homestead Ecofarm
  • ​Stephanie is the owner and operator of small eco-farm that produces a wide range of products such as, produce, beef, clothing, and textiles that are free from chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs. Her farm raises registered sheep, hogs, goats, poultry, Heritage Royal Palm, Bourbon Red, Slates and ducks. Her farm also participates in the Livestock Conservancy Shave Em to Save Em (SE2SE) Program. 

Hailey Painter- Painterland Sisters
  • Hailey is a fourth- generation dairy farmer from Tioga County and a graduate from Iowa State University with a bachelor's in animal science. Her family farm practices full-circle farming and is a 100% organic regenerative farm. She, along with her sister Stephanie Painter, created an organic skyr yogurt company using their family farms dairy milk.  Since its small beginning their company is now selling their product all over the country and is in a number of large chain stores. 

Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors!

Interested in sponsoring one of our events?
Contact Cathy Yeakel, District Manager
[email protected] or call 570-485-3122!