Women in Agribusiness Names Four 2026 Demeter Award Winners

Women in Agribusiness have announced four women recipients of the 2026 Demeter Award of Excellence, recognizing professional achievement, leadership and contributions to the agriculture and food sectors.

This year's recipients are Krysta Harden, Dr. Magan Lewis, Emily Metz and Terri Hawbaker. The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USEC) President and CEO, Harden, Bayer Crop Science Senior Director of Innovation and Enterprise Operations, Lewis, and the American Egg Board (AEGB) President and CEO, Metz, were the recipients of the Demeter Award of Excellence. Grazeway Dairy Farms, Michigan's owner Hawbaker, was chosen in the newly-introduced category of Female Farmer of the Year.

 Key Highlights

• Four women recognized for leadership across agriculture and agribusiness
• New category celebrates women farmers shaping agricultural progress
• Awards will be presented during the Women in Agribusiness Summit

Krysta Harden has been honored for her outstanding service to agriculture, public policy and sustainability for years. Prior to her time with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, she held senior level positions throughout the agricultural industry and was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. This has seen her work towards increasing women's contribution in agriculture and enhancing their involvement in the sector.

Dr. Magan Lewis is a career builder in the area of agricultural science, innovation and leadership. She has experience in plant breeding and genetics, and now specialises in innovation and enterprise operations within the agricultural sector. Her recognition also mirrors women's vital role in innovation and STEM, specifically with new solutions to tomorrow's food system.

Emily Metz is the President and CEO of the American Egg Board with a wealth of experience in Agriculture, Communications, Law and Consumer Engagement. As the leader since 2020, she has been dedicated to data-driven decision-making, consumer insights and measurable industry impact. Her career highlights the need to have a strategic mindset coupled with an appreciation of changing consumer expectations.

Michigan's Terri Hawbaker, owner of Grazeway Dairy Farms, was the first winner of the new award, which honors the female farmer of the year. Her recognition is for women directly involved in Agriculture, Farming Entrepreneurship and Farm Management.

The new category was added because of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, which focused on women's role in all farm and agricultural activities.

In its 14th year, the Demeter Award is aimed at celebrating the professional accomplishments and initiatives of women to promote the participation of women in the food and agriculture sector. The program got over 60 nominations this year, as there is increasing visibility of women leaders and women professionals in the sector.

“These women are the very best of talent and accomplishment in agriculture,” said Svitlana Synkovska, Portfolio Director at Women in Agribusiness, commenting on the recognition.

The four will be officially recognized at the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Summit, which will be held from September 22-24 in New Orleans. The event will feature speakers and practitioners from throughout the agriculture and agribusiness sectors, as they share their thoughts on industry trends, leadership and opportunities for the future.

The awards honorees for 2026 come from a variety of fields of agricultural leadership, from policy and science, to farming and innovation and consumer engagement. Their recognition is a testament to the growing impact of women on the future of agriculture and the development of a more inclusive agribusiness ecosystem.