February 20, 2026
2026 is
International Year of the Woman Farmer* and in celebration of that, ODA is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Oregon women whose hard work powers our communities and beyond.
Meet
Lesley Tamura of Tamura Orchards, who works in the same pear orchards that her great-grandfather once owned -- land that was taken from her family, and against great odds, returned during World War II. Today, she honors that history by working tirelessly to keep the farm in operation and helping other farmers do the same.
Tamura was a teacher before returning to the family farm, and today she continues to educate herself and her fellow farmers on the rules and regulations of the trade. As a community leader, she is an active member of the local farm bureau, she serves as vice-chair of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Company, she regularly speaks with lawmakers on agricultural issues, and she is a wealth of information on grant opportunities that benefit farmers in her area.
In December 2025, Tamura addressed ODA's Board of Agriculture with a message shared by many Hood River Valley producers: the numbers no longer add up. She spoke candidly of low commodity prices, rising labor and input costs, and mounting regulations that are straining small farms in Oregon. Almost 100 years after her grandparents planted their first trees, she fears her 42-acre operation may not survive. Her advice to fellow female farmers is to educate themselves, be seen, and be heard. Despite the current hardships, her friends describe her as always having a smile on her face and looking on the bright side, even when the light seems dim for many Hood River Valley farmers.
Stay tuned, because ODA will be featuring more women farmers throughout 2026. If you know of (or are) a fantastic Oregon-based woman farmer and would like to share a story with us to feature... please use the form just below this to put in a nomination!
*click here to see the official State of Oregon Governor's Proclamation
Previous Features in 2026
February 20, 2026
Meet
Kate Fifer of Caravan Farm & Kitchen, an inspiring chef-turned-farmer. After six years honing her culinary skills in restaurants, she returned home to the Oregon coast in early 2025 with her partner, Daniel, to launch their micro-produce farm and food event business. They settled on the historic Edenfeld Dairy farm property and are transforming it into Caravan Farm & Kitchen, a small chef-driven produce farm. Passionate about fresh produce, they aim to enrich their community through unforgettable dinners and local events.
Caravan Farm & Kitchen hosts pop-up events that showcase Kate's culinary talents, connecting people to their food and providing a personal dining experience. Despite setbacks -- such as flooding ruining much of her first harvest -- Kate remains motivated, connecting with local farmers and improving their growing practices. She has learned that hard work and dedication can get you a long way, but kindness and community close the gap to including happiness with your successes. Her advice for other new farmers is to keep moving forward in chasing your dreams.
February 13, 2026
Meet
Elena Rodriguez of Alumbra Cellars, an award-winning winemaker and trailblazer who, as one of the few Latina winemakers in the Pacific Northwest, is opening doors for future Latinos in the industry. Rodriguez leads her family’s vineyard, Rodriguez Family Vineyard, and its winemaking operation, Alumbra Cellars -- a name that means “to shine,” highlighting her Mexican roots as well as the work being done in the vineyard.
Despite growing up on her family's farm, participating in her local FFA chapter, and raising livestock, Rodriguez initially pursued a career in medicine. She worked as a nurse for 10 years, before eventually choosing to return home in 2014 to help her family with the farm, honoring her parents’ sacrifices and hard work. Over time, Rodriguez helped expand the business from selling grapes to producing their own Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, establishing a wine club and tasting room, and transitioning their operation from conventional to organic/biodynamic farming practices (non-certified).
Rodriguez spends her life in service to her family, friends, God, and community, and continues to give back by serving as a mentor on the Education Committee for a nonprofit: Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Communidad (AHIVOY). The organization empowers vineyard stewards to advance their wine careers through English language immersion and professional development. Through her innovative spirit and cultural pride, Rodriguez is not only crafting exceptional wines, but is also nurturing a legacy of hope and empowerment.
February 6, 2026
Meet
Erin Hansell-Heideman of Blown Away Ranch in both Morrow and Gilliam counties. As the eldest of five children -- and the only girl -- Erin’s leadership journey began on her family farm, where expectations were always equal, regardless of gender. She built her confidence through involvement in FFA, years of teaching agriculture, and years spent as a 4-H agent. She now encourages women in agriculture to learn every aspect of their operations, ask questions, seek partnerships, and never underestimate the power of preparation and hard work.
Over the years, Erin has served with distinction: as a member of the Farm Bureau, the Eastern Oregon Women’s Coalition, the Oregon Cattleman’s Association, and most recently as President of the Oregon Wheat Grower’s League -- only the second woman to hold this role in the organization's 100-year history.
Farming alongside her husband, Deacon, Erin carries the words of her grandfather, Dr. Wm. H. Hansell: "Farmers do not own the land, but are stewards of it." This philosophy guides her approach to agriculture and life -- always striving to leave the land better for the next generation.
January 30, 2026
Meet
Brenda Frketich. Her path to farming took an unexpected turn after college in Southern California, when she came back to the Willamette Valley and joined her dad for a trial run managing the family farm. Since then, Brenda has thrived. She and her husband, Matt, now run the family business together, and she’s active in groups like the Oregon Farm Bureau. Her enthusiasm for sharing agriculture’s story earned her the 2016 Ag Communicator of the Year award from Oregon AgLink, thanks to her lively social media and her blog, Nuttygrass, where she helps people learn about and appreciate farm life.
Outside of farming, Brenda works as a firefighter and paramedic, serves on her local school board, and is raising three kids.
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