German farmer highlights challenges facing women in agriculture

A first-generation farmer from Germany says agriculture is facing significant challenges both on and off the farm.

Jana Gabert says working in farming as a woman has required persistence and determination.

“Most challenging is being a first-generation farmer and a woman,” she said. “I always have to prove that I can do all these things before I will be taken seriously.”

She tells Brownfield the loss of smaller farms in her country is creating challenges for the next generation of producers.

“(Farming) is really important thing, although we become less and less farmers. The farms will become bigger.”

Gabert says she’s proud to play a role in producing food that reaches food-insecure populations across the globe.

“You work animals, you work with people, and you know that we altogether are responsible for the families.”

The World Food Prize is honoring Gabert at the Borlaug International Dialogue this week by awarding her the 2026 Global Farmer Network Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award, which honors the legacy of Iowa farmer Dean Kleckner. The award recognizes world-class farmer leadership, and Gabert joins past honorees from six continents.