Spanberger hosts celebration of women in farming in Charlottesville

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Governor Abigail Spanberger hosted a celebration Thursday for women in farming, described in the script as Virginia’s top private industry, and met with female farmers from across the commonwealth, in Albemarle County, to talk about their experiences.

A panel of female farmers shared personal stories about their livestock, the produce they grow and their experiences as women in a male-dominated industry.

Spanberger spoke to the panel and a group of young women from FFA. She said, “there is a richness in Virginia, and the more we celebrate it, the more we can help kids know what is possible.”

Spanberger said her appreciation and understanding of agriculture come from hands-on experiences.

“Spending time on people’s farms, in people’s homes, talking about the issues that really matter to producers but also to the entire economy across rural Virginia or agriculturally focused Virginia, that I just found fascinating,” Spanberger said.

At the end of the event, some of the farmers gave Spanberger a basket of home-grown and foraged produce.

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