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Women Farmers
Are Shaping
the Future
of California
Agriculture

2026 International Year

of the Woman Farmer

659966ca-f38a-46f3-967e-a6cde64713fe

Women Farmers Are Shaping the Future of California Agriculture

2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer

"In California's strawberry fields, women are growing what matters most, sustainability, opportunity, strong local communities, and the fruit you love."

In 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer recognizes the essential role women play in agriculture worldwide — and California’s strawberry industry is proud to champion their leadership here at home. Across the industry, women are shaping the future of strawberry farming as farm owners, ranch managers, researchers, and leaders within strawberry companies, bringing expertise, resilience, and heart to the work that sustains our farms and communities. 

In California’s strawberry fields, women are growing what matters most—sustainability, opportunity, strong local communities, and the fruit you love. They are planting fields, managing day-to-day farm operations, leading harvest teams, advancing research, and working alongside skilled harvesters. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to caring for the land, for the people who make every harvest possible, and ensuring family farming remains vibrant for generations.

Women Farmers Are Shaping the Future
of California
Agriculture

2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer

"In California's strawberry fields, women are growing what matters most, sustainability, opportunity, strong local communities, and the fruit you love."

In 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer recognizes the essential role women play in agriculture worldwide — and California’s strawberry industry is proud to champion their leadership here at home. Across the industry, women are shaping the future of strawberry farming as farm owners, ranch managers, researchers, and leaders within strawberry companies, bringing expertise, resilience, and heart to the work that sustains our farms and communities. 

In California’s strawberry fields, women are growing what matters most—sustainability, opportunity, strong local communities, and the fruit you love. They are planting fields, managing day-to-day farm operations, leading harvest teams, advancing research, and working alongside skilled harvesters. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to caring for the land, for the people who make every harvest possible, and ensuring family farming remains vibrant for generations.

Women Sustaining the Land & Local Economies

Women are advancing innovation and environmental stewardship in California strawberry fields, through sustainable practices, responsible resource management, and research partnerships with Cal Poly Strawberry Center and the University of California. They help protect the land while strengthening communities—producing billions in economic impact, creating more jobs per acre than any other crop, and ensuring 95 cents of every farm dollar stays local, supporting small businesses, rural communities, and working families. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to caring for the land and the communities where strawberries are grown. 

Explore the economic impact of strawberry farming

Women Sustaining the Land & Local Economies

Women are advancing innovation and environmental stewardship in California strawberry fields, through sustainable practices, responsible resource management, and research partnerships with Cal Poly Strawberry Center and the University of California. They help protect the land while strengthening communities—producing billions in economic impact, creating more jobs per acre than any other crop, and ensuring 95 cents of every farm dollar stays local, supporting small businesses, rural communities, and working families. Their leadership reflects a deep commitment to caring for the land and the communities where strawberries are grown. 

Explore the economic impact of strawberry farming

Women Cultivating Opportunity

Generations of women are carrying family farms forward across California, creating new opportunities through strawberry farming. Across the state, strawberry farms have created more minority ownership than any other major crop. In fact, today, two-thirds of California strawberry farms are minority owned. These farms provide year-round pathways to upward mobility and stability for working families. Through their work and leadership, women farmers reflect the resilience, determination, and opportunity at the heart of California strawberries. 

Meet the farmers behind california strawberries
Meet the farmers behind california strawberries

Women Cultivating Opportunity

Generations of women are carrying family farms forward across California, creating new opportunities through strawberry farming. Across the state, strawberry farms have created more minority ownership than any other major crop. In fact, today, two-thirds of California strawberry farms are minority owned. These farms provide year-round pathways to upward mobility and stability for working families. Through their work and leadership, women farmers reflect the resilience, determination, and opportunity at the heart of California strawberries. 

Women Growing the Strawberries You Love

Women across California grow the strawberries families love—caring deeply about what reaches your table because it reaches theirs, too. Hand-harvested at peak ripeness and grown under rigorous standards, California strawberries are naturally sweet and packed with nutrients—delivering 95% of your daily vitamin C and providing fiber, folate, potassium, and antioxidants linked to heart, brain, gut, and metabolic health. Each berry reflects a personal commitment to nourishing people and communities. The heart isn’t  just the shape of a strawberry— it’s the story of the people who grow it. 

Explore strawberry nutrition & health benefits

Women Growing the Strawberries
You Love

Women across California grow the strawberries families love—caring deeply about what reaches your table because it reaches theirs, too. Hand-harvested at peak ripeness and grown under rigorous standards, California strawberries are naturally sweet and packed with nutrients—delivering 95% of your daily vitamin C and providing fiber, folate, potassium, and antioxidants linked to heart, brain, gut, and metabolic health. Each berry reflects a personal commitment to nourishing people and communities. The heart isn’t just the shape of a strawberry— it’s the story of the people who grow it. 

Explore strawberry nutrition & health benefits

International Year of the Woman Farmer: Honoring Women
Shaping Strawberry Farming

As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are proud to recognize the many women whose leadership, expertise, and dedication help shape California’s strawberry farming industry.
 
The women featured below represent just a small sample of the countless leaders across the industry making a meaningful impact every day—from growing strawberries, advancing sustainability research to leading their companies and strengthening the communities where they farm.

Grows with Heart

Alma Garcia, Owner Garcia and Sons Berry Farms, is originally from Michoacán, México. She came to the United States at 15 and started with just 3 acres of strawberries. Today, she and her family—including her four children—cultivate over 100 acres in Salinas, California. Her passion for seeing her fields and fruit grow drives her every day as she manages operations, oversees crops, and leads her team.

Alma Garcia

Strawberry Grower

Garcia and Sons Berry Farms

Engineering Efficiency for the Future of Farming

Betzabet Valdez, Agronomist, Driscoll’s Inc. monitors climate conditions to inform proper irrigation and fertility strategies, scouting for pests, and managing the financial aspects of farm operations to ensure productivity and sustainability, while significantly improving yields. Betzy has worked closely with agronomists and growers to develop the tabletop growing system for improved efficiency and sustainability.

Betzabet Valdez

Tabletop Strawberry Farming Innovator Driscoll’s

Advancing Excellence in Food Safety and Sustainability

Carole Patterson, Vice President of Food Safety and Sustainability at Gem‑Pack Berries, brings nearly 20 years of experience in the produce industry. A passionate advocate for berry growers, she has served on more than ten industry committees and consistently champions solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges, driving innovation, advocacy, and excellence across agriculture.

Carole Patterson

Vice President of Food & Safety 

Gem-Pack Berries

A Champion for California Strawberries

Chris Christian, Sr. VP, California Strawberry Commission. With decades of experience in agriculture, marketing, and international trade, Chris oversees the Strawberry Commission's work in global market development, retail marketing communications, and health research on behalf of California Strawberry growers.

Chris Christian

Vice President of Market Insights

California Strawberry Commission

 

A Life Rooted in Strawberries and Family

Delfina Olivera, Quality Control Supervisor, Hijas De La Fresa, has been a driving force in strawberry farming since the 1990’s. She started in the fields as a strawberry picker, before she and her husband Donato began growing their own strawberries in Santa Maria in 2004. Today, she continues to inspire others at Hijas de la Fresa (Daughters of the Strawberry), the farm started by two of her daughters to honor the legacy created by Delfina and her late husband.

Delfina Olivera

Quality Control Supervisor

Hijas de La Fresa

 

Competitive and Determined Strawberry Leader

Esmeralda Langarica, International Sales/Office Manager Crown Nursery, LLC, is a first-generation college graduate. A background in competitive sports and growing up in a large family helped shape Esmeralda’s foundation in leadership and discipline. She carries a strong sense of responsibility and determination that continues to guide her work.

Esmeralda Langarica

International Sales/Office Manager

Crown Nursery LLC

 

Leader in Strawberry Research & Innovation

Dr. Hillary Q. Thomas, Research and Technical Director, Naturipe Berry Growers, is a leader in strawberry research and innovation. She has a doctorate in Entomology from UC Davis and has served as a Science and Technology fellow in the California state legislature. She managed the statewide research department at the California Strawberry Commission from 2011-2015.

Hillary Q. Thomas-Sanchez, PhD

Research and Technical Director of Innovation Naturipe Berry Growers

Strawberry Farmer and Community Leader

Lorena Chavez, CFO DL Farm Management, is the daughter of immigrant parents who came to America for a better life. She was born and raised in Santa Maria, CA and is a second-generation farmer, growing 900 acres of strawberries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. She is involved in giving back to the local community, including serving as a Board member in youth sports, non-profit organizations, and local hospital board.

Lorena Chavez

Chief Financial Officer

DL Farm Management

Next Generation Leader in the Strawberry Industry

Madu Etchandy, Sr. VP of Operations with Gem-Pack Berries, is recognized as a next-generation leader in the strawberry industry. Her background in agriculture, combined with an MBA, enables her to integrate operational expertise with strategic business decision-making. She has played a central role in scaling operations, driving innovation, strengthening compliance systems, supporting global market expansion, and has been widely recognized for her work in exploring and implementing sustainable solutions.

Madu Etchandy

Senior Vice President of Operations

Gem-Pack Berries

Growing a More Inclusive Future for Agriculture

Mara Miller, President of Royal Oaks Farms and Rancho Royal Oaks represents a multigenerational strawberry farming family. Her journey from fieldwork to leadership, strengthened by a master's degree in clinical psychology, guides her people-first approach to innovation and workplace culture. She is committed to helping lead agriculture toward a more inclusive, sustainable and forward-thinking future for women and families.

Mara Miller

President of Royal Oaks Farms

& Rancho Royal Oaks

Advancing Agriculture Through Modern Farming Practices

Marcela Quiroz-Hernandez, Ranch Manager at Driscoll’s Inc., oversees the production of strawberries on 23 acres. Marcela is responsible for managing all aspects of ranch operations utilizing a tabletop growing system which marks a move towards more advanced and efficient growing practices, improving both crop quality and working conditions. She leads by example and is an inspiration for other women pursuing careers in agriculture.

Marcela Quiroz

Tabletop Strawberry Farming Innovator Driscoll’s

Passionate Advocate for the Strawberry Farming Community

Mayra Paniagua, Owner of Golden State Farms, is a second-generation strawberry farmer. After graduating college with a degree in business administration and accounting, she returned to the Central Coast to lead the family farm that was started by her parents in 1997. Mayra believes that with hard work anybody can achieve their dreams. She says, “El sol sale par todo el mundo,” which means, “The sun comes out for everybody.”

Mayra Paniagua

Strawberry Grower

Golden State Farms

Loves Extolling the Story of California Strawberries

Michelle Deleissegues, Sr. VP Marketing, Gem-Pack Berries, was raised in Monterey County in a produce family. After acquiring a MBA, International Business, she returned home for a career in agriculture, including 28 years in the California strawberry industry. She has worn many hats within the industry, but her favorite is extolling the story of California Strawberries.

Michelle Deleissegues

Senior Vice President of Marketing

Gem-Pack Berries

Honoring Family Roots, Growing the Future of California Strawberries

Miriam and Donna Olivera are the co-founders of Hijas de la Fresa, continuing a 30-plus-year family legacy in strawberry farming. Second-generation farmers and California FarmLink Resilerator graduates, the sisters launched their business in 2021, honoring their roots in Oaxaca, Mexico while farming today in the Santa Maria community.

Miriam & Donna Olivera

Strawberry Growers

Hijas de La Fresa

Growing Strawberries and her Community

Patty Martinez is the compliance manager at Marz Farms and a second‑generation strawberry farmer representing one of Ventura County’s largest berry growers. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and a J.D. from Loyola Law School, with additional international experience as a junior ambassador in Berlin. Patty is deeply involved in agriculture, serving on the Ventura County Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee and as a director with Zone Mutual Water Company.

Patricia Martinez

Compliance Manager

Marz Farms Inc.

Advancing Strawberry Science to Protect Crop Health

Shashika Hewavitharna, PhD, Assistant Professor and Plant Pathology Program Leader at theCal Poly Strawberry Center. She leads federal, state, and industry-funded research on emerging strawberry diseases, recurrent above-ground and below-ground strawberry diseases, and disease management. She earned her B.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU).

Shashika Hewavitharana, PhD

Associate Professor

 

Cultivating Growth Across Generations

Yesenia grew up in the strawberry industry, raised by parents who rose from field workers to farm owners. After marrying into the Ramirez family of established growers, she became a key leader in the success of both businesses by age 34. A wife to Miguel Ramirez and mother of three, she leads with deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to family and community.

Yesenia Ramirez

Vice President of Administration 

3 Generaciones

Cassandra Martinez

Strawberry Grower

Oxnard


Martha Guerrero

Strawberry Grower Oxnard/Ventura

Kiana Amaral

Chief Administrative Officer

BlazerWilkinsonGee Berries

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