Farmer from Ledyard, Connecticut wins award

Aug 17, 2015

Allyson Angelini owns Full Heart Farm

A farmer from Ledyard, Connecticut received the 2015 Emerging Leader of the Year award from the eWomenNetwork at their 15^th Annual International Conference and Business Expo, held this year in Dallas, Texas.

Allyson Angelini, the 27-year-old owner of Full Heart Farm, won the award based on her passion for feeding her community, the 10 years of experience, the time she’s spent using innovative farming techniques and helping people realize that hard work and dedication can help dreams come true.

The six-acre farm, which she purchased in 2012 using a USDA Farm Service Agency loan for beginning farmers, operates a meal-based MemberShare program that allows more than 50 families to visit the farm each week and take home upwards of $30 worth of fresh vegetables, pork, chicken, eggs and herbs.

During her thank you speech in front of thousands of women, she said that she’s a farmer and not used to receiving any kind of accolades. She said the opportunity to do something more than simply feeding animals and growing vegetables.

Angelini was one of eight finalists from over 200 international submissions. The award is given to women between 22 and 29 who demonstrate a drive and passion for academics, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

2015 has been an impressive year for Angelini as in February she was named to Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 – a list showcasing 40 people, under the age of 40, making a difference in their communities.

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

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• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

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• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.