Deadline for Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award is June 14

DENVER, Colorado, May 21, 2024 – The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2024 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence is Friday, June 14. The annual award acknowledges the outstanding achievements of women in their respective fields and their exceptional contributions to the agribusiness industry.

Nominations, which can be submitted via this form, should reflect the following criteria:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the agriculture and/or food industry.

• Notable professional achievements. 

• An inspiring role model for other women in the industry.

• Actively dismantles barriers, fosters opportunities, and acts as a valuable resource for others.

• Consistently exemplifies professionalism.

Note that there is no limit to the number of entries, and self-nominations are permissible.

Up to three recipients are selected each year and invited to attend – with complimentary registration – the annual Women in Agribusiness Summit, which will take place this year in Denver, Colorado, September 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. There, Demeter Award recipients will be recognized on-stage and presented with their award.

Since the award’s inception in 2013, more than 30 women in ag have been celebrated for their extraordinary achievements, leadership acumen and innovative industry contributions.

Here’s what 2023 WIA Demeter Award of Excellence recipients had to say:

“If you have intent and you have purpose in your life and you pursue what you would like to get accomplished, you just have to dedicate yourself to it and other women will help champion and support and mentor you.”

 – Connie Hershbach, 2023 Demeter Award Recipient, recognized for being instrumental in technical services at Western Farm Services, Crop Production Services, and Agrium (now Nutrien), respectively, where she was one of the few women who held a senior leadership role and was noted as “one of the most customer-driven professionals in our segment of the industry.”

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest that you reap, instead judge it by the seeds you sow. Just like we’ve been doing the past two days [at the WIA Summit], continue sowing those seeds, building those relationships, and growing with each other….I am so proud to be standing here amongst each of you to represent the industry that feeds the entire world.” 

– Dr. Tracie Egger, 2023 Demeter Award Recipient, selected for her successes at Purdue University College of Agriculture where her recruiting efforts increased college enrollment substantially and raised female enrollment by more than 60 percent. Dr. Egger also was instrumental in the development and launch of the CATE initiative – College of Agriculture Transformational Experiences – the Leadership Development Certificate Program (LDCP) for the College.

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About Women in Agribusiness

Women in Agribusiness, which took root in 2012 with the first Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans, seeks to lead the growth in global female agribusiness leadership with a platform that encourages collaboration by coming together for overall innovation and development. WIA initiatives now include the WIA Today blog, WIA Membership, WIA MeetUps, WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, Student Scholarships and the WIA Career Connector. Learn more at womeninag.com.