WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fourteen farm and ranch women leaders recently graduated from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) fall session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp, including woman from Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee, completing an intensive four-day course featuring hands-on sessions focused on public speaking, working with the media, and messaging.

“Agricultural advocacy remains a cornerstone of farm bureau,” said Zippy Duvall, AFBF president. “We’re proud to honor the farm and ranch leaders who completed this training and congratulate them for taking the next step in their leadership journey.”

The AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with organization’s staff, hosts and provides training for the boot camp biannually. Hosted by the AFBF, this year’s 21st boot camp was Oct. 14-17, in Washington, D.C. The program currently has 313 graduates, and is open to all women involved in farm bureau, officials said.

This fall’s boot camp graduates were: Elizabeth Walker, Horatio, Ark.; Kelly Wilcox, Casa Grande, Ariz.; Leah Groves, Clovis, Calif.; Jennifer Greene, Panama City Beach, Fla.; Mindy Orschell, Brookville, Ind.; Darcy Perehinys, East Amwell, N.J.; Ashley Reese, Tuckerton, N.J.; Megan Dresbach, Circleville, Ohio; Tonya Pennix, Mebane, N.C.; McKayla Robinette, Pinetops, N.C.; Suzanne Shea, Gettysburg, Pa.; Holly Harper, Nashville, Tenn.; Elizabeth Cooper, Surry, Va.; and Sally Turpin, Hillsboro, Wis.

“Communicating effectively about agriculture is more important than ever,” said Isabella Chism, a Kokomo, Ind., row crop farmer and chair of the AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee. “Boot camp graduates have honed their skills and are ready to use them to benefit their communities and farm bureau on local, state and national levels.”

Orschell, a certified public accountant, told Farm World, “Through this program I was able to gain a better understanding of how positive media campaigns are an integral component of agricultural advocacy, as well as boosting my confidence to be an effective voice for agriculture.

“Connecting with and learning alongside women from across the country with shared values and common goals was an amazing benefit to the program,” she said. “I hope to use the skills and tools acquired through this program to be a better leader and advocate for the agricultural community, and to continue with the needed work of farm bureau.”

Dresbach, vice president at WD Farms, LLC, told Farm World, “The American Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee Communication Boot Camp encompasses informational sessions by qualified professionals on how to share agriculture’s story. People who work in agriculture day-in and day-out are the ones who know the industry the best.

“With that being said, we, as professionals in agriculture, have a responsibility to share with the other 98 percent of the population, what we do, and why we do it,” she said. “This boot camp shared tips and tricks on how to communicate in various forms, from social media to in-person conversations.

“If one conversation allows one person to understand agriculture just a little better, then we have done our job,” she said. “Change does not come from one large event; continuous constructive events add up to make a difference.”

She added, “In agriculture, I am a professional as a commercial manure applicator. My family’s business specializes in liquid manure application. We work across Ohio and Indiana. Prior to boot camp, I had started a blog, called Ohio Manure Gal, on Facebook and Instagram.

“The goal of this blog is to share what the manure industry is, what we do, and how we do it,” she said. “This boot camp has given me the resources to sharpen my communication tools. I will continue to share with the world my little, but crucial, piece of agriculture.”

Harper, USDA Farm Service Agency farm loan manager, told Farm World, “I improved all aspects of my communications skills and improved my self confidence in knowing I have the ability to communicate with anyone about important agriculture topics. This includes those tough topics.

“The staff and women’s leadership committee are an excellent resource and wealth of knowledge,” she said. “They inspired and encouraged us throughout our training on ways to be the best advocate. The most important aspect of the program is the opportunity to connect with other women that share the same goal: to be a better voice for agriculture.”

She added, “I will be able to better connect with individuals and groups I am communicating with as part of my career. Improvement of my skills will allow me to be more strategic in my messaging, and ensure I am delivering my content in the best way possible.”

Applications will be open in December for the 2025 AFBF’s spring session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp, officials said. For more information about the program, visit: www.fb.org/topic/womens-communications-boot-camp.