5 questions with … Trisha Zachman, Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year finalist

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Trisha Zachman, Belgrade, Minnesota, is one of five finalists for Farmfest’s 2026 Woman Farmer of the Year award.

Zachman earns the honor by having been raised in agriculture, educated in agriculture, a former crop protection expert and now wife, mother and businesswoman running the Feathered Acres Learning Farm and Inn. It’s there that she practices livestock care, pasture management, marketing, farm tours, classes, direct-to-consumer meat sales and more.

Agweek caught up with her to ask her five questions about her passion for ag.

1. What is your role in agriculture?

My role in agriculture is being a caretaker of both our kids and our farm. Every day, we feed and check animals together, and I get the honor of doing this work alongside my family. Farming is my main focus, and I am thankful that I can put my time and energy into our farm, our home, and raising our kids in this lifestyle.

2. How did you end up in this role?

I worked in the crop protection industry for about six years before deciding to come home and start farming with my husband. We both knew farming was something we wanted to do, but we were not exactly sure what kind of farming we would end up doing. Fast forward five years, and we are now implementing regenerative farming practices and raising non-confinement, pasture-raised hogs. I always knew being a farmer was somewhere in my future, but I did not know exactly how or when it would happen. Keeping an open mind and accepting the opportunities that came our way has helped us become more resilient and has played a big part in how far we have come.

3. What is your goal for the future?

My goal for the future is to keep learning and continue trying new and different things on our farm. I hope to keep traveling, meeting other farmers, and learning from the way they do things. I never want to feel like we are done learning or that there is only one right way to farm.

4. What is your advice for others who are interested in your path?

My advice is that there are no rules, and you can literally change everything you know or everything you currently do when it comes to farming. There is so much to learn, and keeping an open mind to doing something differently might be the very thing that saves you. Be willing to learn, change, and create a path that works for you and your farm.

5. The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. What does that declaration mean to you?

To me, the International Year of the Woman Farmer recognizes that women are not just helping on farms, we are making decisions, raising families, caring for livestock, and building businesses of our own. I am proud that my children get to see me working alongside their dad and know that farming is a path open to them, no matter who they are. I hope this year gives more women the confidence and recognition to step fully into their role in agriculture.

Zachman is one of five of the finalists for Minnesota’s Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year honor. Others include Erica Sawatzke, Christina Traeger, Meg Stuedemann and Mary Joyer. The winner will be announced at 10:45 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 6, during the Women in Ag event in the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center stage.]]>