U.S. Embassy in Hanoi sent thank-you letter to Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper

Reflecting on the Year of the Woman Farmer Road Show in Vietnam

In May 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), calling on the world to celebrate this year internationally. The UN resolution directs global attention to women in agriculture.

To promote the implementation of the UN resolution declaring 2026 as the IYWF – a global initiative initiated by a core group including the United States and Vietnam, and coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in collaboration with other UN agencies – the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, organized the International Year of the Woman Farmer program in Vietnam. Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper (VAN) is the media sponsor.

The program brought two exemplary women farmers from the United States, Jennifer H. Schmidt and Jaclyn Wilson, to Vietnam and Indonesia to engage with women’s communities in agriculture. The dialogues aimed to raise awareness about the global challenges faced by women in agriculture.

Two main events within the framework of the IYWF program in Vietnam included the Forum For the Advancement of Women in Agriculture held at Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) on August 12, and the Vietnamese–U.S. Women Farmers Exchange with a field visit to poultry farming and conservation and development of medicinal plants in Soc Son district, Hanoi on August 13, which left many positive emotions and deep impressions.

Below is the letter from Agricultural Counselor Ralph Bean, addressed to VAN:

“On behalf of the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, our team would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your invaluable partnership in hosting and promoting the Year of the Woman Farmer ASEAN Road Show in Vietnam on August 12-13, 2024. This event, in celebration of the UN resolution designating 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers, was a resounding success thanks in large part to your dedicated efforts. 

Your role in organizing the Forum of the Women Farmers at Vietnam National University of Agriculture, which was honored by the presence of the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, was instrumental. Additionally, the coordination of field visits to Vietnamese agricultural cooperatives provided an invaluable opportunity for the two U.S. women farmers to engage directly with local women farmers. This interaction has significantly contributed to the success and impact of the event. 

We deeply appreciate the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the leadership and staff of VAN. Your support was crucial in achieving the remarkable outcomes of the road show. It is with heartfelt appreciation that we send this thank you letter. 

We look forward to future collaborations and continuing our shared mission to support and advance agricultural development and gender equality in the region.”

Gratitude from the organizers

Achieving this success would not have been possible without the attention and favorable conditions provided by the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and its affiliated units.

The Organizing Committee would like to sincerely thank the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the USDA for their support and close coordination in organizing the events.

We especially express our deepest gratitude to the two exemplary women farmers from the United States, Ms. Jennifer H. Schmidt and Ms. Jaclyn Wilson, who traveled halfway around the world to Vietnam to share their invaluable experiences. Their enthusiasm and extensive expertise not only inspired, but also opened up new perspectives on smart and sustainable agriculture, helping Vietnamese women farmers access advanced methods and technologies.

The Organizing Committee greatly appreciates the support, coordination, and collaboration of the Vietnam University of Agriculture; the People’s Committee of Soc Son District; agencies and units in Soc Son District; the Thu Thoan Microbial Chicken Cooperative; and the Soc Son Medicinal Plant Conservation and Development Cooperative for facilitating the smooth execution of activities within the framework of the program.

The Organizing Committee sincerely thanks the media agencies for actively conveying the program’s message and helping to spread the stories of resilience, creativity, and the spirit of dedication of women in the agricultural sector.

We would also like to express our deep gratitude to the women farmers from Vietnam who participated, sharing their experiences and demonstrating their resilience and determination in their profession.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all organizations and individuals who participated in and supported the program. The success of the IYWF program in Vietnam is a testament to the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and our shared responsibility toward the community and the sustainable development of the global agricultural sector.