March 21, 2024
by Colleen Settle
According to the latest Census of Agriculture, about one-third of farmers in Indiana are women. But being a woman in ag does not mean they only work on the farm.
One of those women is Janis Highley, Huntington County, who serves as Indiana Farm Bureau second vice president. Highley is on the board of directors and chairs the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee, which is dedicated to educating the public through programs and events. These activities provide women with a platform for leadership, political involvement and professional development.
“The WLC is committed to helping women realize their potential in the ag industry and take advantage of leadership opportunities,” Highley says. “We want to meet women wherever they may be in their leadership and advocacy journey.”
Surrounded by agriculture
While Highley didn’t grow up on a farm, she was raised around agriculture in Warren, Ind. Her grandparents were dairy farmers, and her mother worked for a local fertilizer company.