Yamila Farrell leads Rural association in Argentina

In Chivilcoy, Argentina, 29-year-old Yamila Farrell became president of the local Rural Association, a 78-year-old institution, in October 2025.

Farrell comes from a family with a long history in agriculture and livestock farming, spanning five and six generations on both sides, and grew up participating in the association’s activities. She joined the group’s youth division, the Ateneo, at age 20 and later participated in the association’s decision-making processes as older members sought to include younger leaders.

Farrell’s election marked a turning point for the association, as she became the first woman to lead the organization. She now publicly represents the association’s decisions and enjoys the support of a collaborative commission. Beyond her work with the Rural Association, Farrell also assists with the administration of her family’s agricultural production and works remotely for a consulting firm.

She and other producers continue to advocate for the complete elimination of agricultural export taxes, known as retenciones, despite some reductions made by the government. They are also concerned about infrastructure issues like road conditions and the risk of flooding in the Buenos Aires province. Farrell said the association celebrates improvements and speaks out about areas needing attention to support local producers.