4th March 2026
International Women’s Day: California Prune Board celebrates women across the industry
Sunday 8th March marks International Women’s Day, the annual celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political impact of women around the world. This year’s event also coincides with the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer, which spotlights the essential role women hold in the agriculture industry, from production to trade. Both initiatives are being celebrated by the California Prune Board (CPB) to recognise the women active across the California prune industry.
Statistics show that 40% of the global agricultural workforce is made up of women. In the EU, figures from the European Commission[1] show that, on average, 29% of farms are managed by women, while around 28% of the UK’s paid agricultural workforce is female[2]. In California, which grows over three-quarters of the USA’s fruits and nuts and almost half of its vegetables[3], California Grown[4] reveals that around 63% of farms are female-operated and the number of women farmers is up 13% in the last decade.
For the California Prune industry, the impact women play is vital and is more than a celebration – it is a commitment to equity, visibility, and opportunity. “Like the vast majority of California farms, our industry is made up of families who have grown and harvested prunes for generations,” says Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand & Industry Communications for the California Prune Board.
“Women grow the future and are increasingly leading the stewardship of orchards that have been part of California agriculture for decades, guiding succession planning and ensuring long-term viability for future generations. From growers and handlers to scientists working in nutrition and production research, and the marketing teams spotlighting California Prunes domestically and abroad, women are behind many of the decisions that drive our industry.”
Kiaran was recently announced as Chairwoman of California Grown, which connects consumers with the state’s food producers. She is an active voice for California Prunes, which produces virtually all the prunes in the U.S. Kiaran adds: “Global demand for California’s premium prunes continues to flourish, and with our powerhouse prunes being shipped to more than 60 countries, balancing domestic and export demand takes careful stewardship, long-term thinking, and business leadership.”
For many female prune growers, farming is both a calling and a legacy, particularly in a state where 93% of farms are family owned. Women like Sandra Mitchell, Felicia Alverez, and Hilary Porter continue to take the lead across their respective farms and businesses, for the benefit of health-conscious consumers who are driving demand for California Prunes.
Sandra Mitchell, who runs a farm in Yuba City, California, says: “Women are very quality-oriented. When it comes to our families, we only want the best. As a California Prune grower, we have dedicated our farming operation throughout the years to growing a premium product for the consumer.”
Sandra works across all aspects of her 500-acre farm and, like Kiaran, plays a pivotal role across a number of agricultural committees. She is also a passionate advocate of the science-backed nutritional profile of prunes and their health benefits, particularly on women’s bone health. Many of the 70 published studies that show the positive effect prunes can have on health have been led by female scientists, and further advance women’s health research.
Kiaran concludes: “The women in our industry are driving change, and the California Prune Board is investing in progress through them as they accelerate sustainability, innovation, and food security for all. Using education, mentorship, and access, women will continue to power the agriculture industry. When consumers choose California Prunes, they are supporting women who are growing a future for the next generation.”
[1] https://ggn.org/Magazine/PostView/empowering-women-in-agriculture-bridging-the-gender-gap-in-europe
[2] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ultimate-guide-women-uk-agriculture-2025-edition-rebekah-shields-zm3rf/
[3] California Department of Food and Agriculture
[4] https://californiagrown.org/yearofthewomanfarmer/