Agricultural Advocates

Women advocate for agriculture during

2021 conference | ARTICLE BY ALICE KEMP, PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

Women’s Committee Program awards were presented to county representatives by 2021 Virginia Future Little Miss Agriculture USA RyleeAnn Waitson at the closing session.

Participants in the 2021 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Conference were excited to reconnect and recharge after the 2020 conference was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of county Farm Bureau women’s committees from across the state gathered in Henrico County Aug. 27-29 and discussed ways to advocate for agriculture under the theme “Together Toward Tomorrow.” “It turned out really great,” said Faye Hundley, VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee chairman. “Everyone enjoyed participating in the many educational workshops. I had people tell me they learned so much more about our own members, farmers and the diversity we have in agriculture.”

VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor commended the women’s committee for its resilience and adaptability.

“At the start of this pandemic, no one knew what they were going to be able to do, but you never left— you just kept on,” he said. “Your commitment to staying connected over the past months is inspiring.”

Pryor highlighted the committee’s charitable efforts, including the 2020 PB&J Food Drive that raised more than 4,300 pounds of food and $3,300 in cash donations. He also praised the committee for its “tireless and endless creative efforts to support Agriculture in the Classroom and future generations of decision makers who understand and appreciate agriculture’s impact.”

He encouraged leaders to continue talking with everyone about agriculture’s importance.

“Engage with media, engage our consumers in conversations about food and about agriculture,” he said. “And last, but certainly not least, stay politically active. We need all the activists we can get.”

American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership vice chair Lorenda Overman was the keynote speaker. Overman farms with her husband in North Carolina and manages the family farm’s swine and row crop operations.

She emphasized the importance of welcoming diversity in each person’s story and finding the common ground to make a connection. She also encouraged conference participants to face challenges and step out of their comfort zones—embracing the uncomfortable.

“Don’t let the imposter syndrome win,” she said. “Use the tools and the talents you have and you own to achieve your goals. Always know your audience … know who you are, and know that you have value.”

Conference workshops focused on the future of the Farm Bureau women’s program, explored unique farming operations around Virginia, and educated attendees about mental health concerns affecting farmers and their families. Participants also learned about AITC’s vast resources, uses for dried flowers and herbs from the garden, and how to make cream cheese.

Conference attendees donated to AITC, participated in workshops and enjoyed fellowship and learning more about leadership. Highlighting mental health

During the workshop “If You Were a Sunflower—What Would You Look Like?”, attendees explored rural resiliency and its impacts on mental health.

Becky Broaddus, Eastern District leader on the VFBF women’s committee, and her husband, Lynwood, who is president of Caroline County Farm Bureau, used the analogy of a sunflower’s appearance to identify the causes and signs of stress. Participants also learned ways to manage stress and how to help others.

“We have to be observant, and we have to look out for one another,” Becky Broaddus said.

Farmers and their families face stressors every day, like low commodity prices, financial distress and natural disasters. She cited a statistic that laborers and farm owners have the highest rates of death due to stressrelated conditions like heart and artery disease, hypertension, ulcers and nervous disorders.

Becky advised having a strong social network, not focusing on things that can’t be changed, and taking care of yourself through exercise, eating healthy, getting sleep and having a hobby.

“Talk to family members, get involved, and stay connected with others,” she emphasized. “Don’t shut out friends or family. Have that network of people, somebody that you can talk to.”

AITC donation celebration, conference events raise over $21,000

Conference participants were recognized for their past year’s support of Virginia AITC during a donation celebration. County Farm Bureau women’s committees collectively donated $14,900 to AITC. Additionally, a silent auction and a live auction during the conference raised a combined $6,200.