Dear Editor,

Of the 3.3 million U.S. farm operators, nearly 1 million are women. Whether they run machinery, keep the books, make management decisions or oversee the household, these women play a significant role in helping provide food and fiber for our growing global population; and they do it while raising the next generation of American farmers.

The American farm mom is often the backbone of the family farm. With Mother’s Day approaching, now is the perfect time to honor her contributions. I would like to make your readers aware of an opportunity to nominate their favorite farm mom for the chance to win up to $10,000.

Now in its third year, the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest was created to recognize the contributions women are making, not only to their families and farms, but also to their rural communities and the agriculture industry. These women are passionate advocates for agriculture who are helping to educate consumers on the source of their food. It’s fantastic what these women are doing, and I hope that we can continue to advocate the important role that they have.

I encourage your readers to visit www.AmericasFarmers.com before April 23 to share a little about their favorite farm mom. We’ll announce the national winner on Mother’s Day, May 13. I hope the title and cash prize is a really special Mother’s Day present for one farm mom and great recognition for all amazing farm moms throughout this country.

It’s a small token of appreciation compared to the work these women do on the farm, but I hope that it will act as a “thank you” to the American farm women across the country for becoming the female voices of American agriculture.

Jessica Simmons

America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Project Lead

Monsanto Co.