The International Year of the Woman Farmer: Taking Root and Growing Legacy
In 2026, the world is recognizing the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) – a powerful opportunity to elevate the voices, leadership, and impact of women across agriculture. Join DGN for a special Enhance webinar kicking off this historic year and introducing “Taking Root and Growing Legacy”, DGN’s storytelling initiative honoring women in dairy here in the United States. This session will explore what IYWF is, how it came to be, and why it matters – not only for today’s dairy industry, but highlighting where we came from and the future we are building. We’ll share how DGN is participating in this global celebration, including our storytelling campaign, partnership opportunities, and plans to amplify women’s voices throughout the year. Attendees will also learn how to nominate a woman to be considered for a feature, discover the marketing and storytelling tools DGN is providing (including our new IYWF website hub and online toolkit) and walk away with actionable ways to participate, share stories, and celebrate women in dairy. Whether you’re a producer, industry professional, or advocate, this webinar will equip you to take part in a year that honors legacy, leadership, and the power of women shaping dairy’s future.
Happening Live on Friday, January 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CST (1:00 p.m. EST | 11:00 a.m. MST | 10:00 a.m. PST)
Presented by: Mary Knigge, VP, Dairy Farmers of America, Laura Daniels, Owner, Hitch Pin Consulting and Founder, Dairy Girl Network, Amanda Kohls, Executive Officer, Dairy Girl Network and Chelsie Voorhees, Communications Coordinator, Dairy Girl Network
Webinar recording will be available for all registered!
These webinars are open to all – DGN members, non-members, men and women!
Meet the Speakers:
Mary Knigge, VP, Dairy Farmers of America
Mary Knigge grew up on her family dairy and cash crop farm in Omro, WI and now works with Dairy Farmers of America in Washington D.C. Mary spends her time talking with legislators and government officials about the many issues impacting the industry, partnering with other industry partners and being an advocate for dairy farmers. She loves that her real-world experience of being a farm kid now translates to advancing dairy policy and improving things in the countryside. She also enjoys traveling the country talking to farmers about what’s happening in D.C., unwrapping the policy impacting their business and encouraging them to be engaged in the process. Mary and her family enjoy seeing new places, spending time outdoors and musical theater.
Laura Daniels, Owner, Hitch Pin Consulting and Founder, Dairy Girl Network
Laura Daniels is a farmer, coach, consultant and agriculture advocate. For 15 years she served as the General Manager of her dairy, Heartwood Farm, in charge of day-to-day operations. Now, she advises fellow farmers and business owners in the areas of team building and strategic planning with Hitch Pin Consulting. Laura also founded Dairy Girl Network in 2013 to help fellow dairywomen across the United States connect and succeed.
Amanda Kohls, Executive Officer, Dairy Girl Network
Amanda Kohls (Borkowski) is the Executive Officer of Dairy Girl Network, a national nonprofit dedicated to connecting, inspiring, and empowering women across the dairy industry. Since joining the organization in 2017, she has advanced through multiple roles and now provides strategic oversight of operations, partnerships, communications, and educational programming. Amanda leads national initiatives focused on leadership development, professional growth, and mental well-being, while cultivating strong industry partnerships that support DGN’s mission and long-term impact. Even though she was not raised on a farm, her background is diverse, giving her a well-rounded perspective across both production agriculture and industry services.
Chelsie Voorhees, Communications Coordinator, Dairy Girl Network
Chelsie Voorhees was raised on a six-generation row crop farm in Kansas, and her passion for agriculture began at a young age and has shaped her career ever since. She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism and quickly found her niche in digital strategy and content creation. Chelsie brings a strong background in storytelling, content development, and digital media — all rooted in her deep love for agriculture and empowering women. She’s passionate about creating meaningful content that connects, informs, and uplifts, and she’s excited to use those skills to help amplify the voices of women in dairy.