Women are critical leaders across SHI’s programs. 50% of SHI’s field staff are women, and 41% of SHI family partnerships are led by women. In an effort to recognize the important role of women as farmers and advocates for healthy food systems, we sat down this month with three SHI field trainers—Consuelo Hernández, Indira Patt, and Daysbeth López—and several participant farmers to discuss their experiences.

In celebration of the International Day of Rural Women, we are lifting up the voices of these women farmers. Here are their words, raw and unfiltered.