Farm Bureau Honors 22nd Women’s Communications Boot Camp Graduates

Fifteen farm and ranch women leaders graduated from the spring session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The agricultural leaders completed an intensive four-day course that featured hands-on sessions focused on public speaking, working with the media and messaging. Program graduates will use their training to strategically support issues important to farmers and help tell agriculture’s story. This includes participating in local media opportunities, sharing information with elected officials and joining social media campaigns that spotlight modern agriculture.

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Row 1 (L to R) - Amanda Norr, Utah; Haley Eckstrom; Minnesota; Connor Vincent, Delaware

Row 2 (L to R) - Stacy Richardson, Virginia; Shelby Ricks, North Carolina; Emily Warnimont, Ohio; Amy McChesney, Pennsylvania; Emmy Armstrong, Tennessee

Row 3 (L to R) - Jennifer Cross, Northeast Region representative, AFB Women’s Leadership Committee; Megan Platt, Indiana; Megan Floyd, South Carolina; Donzetta Hughes, Kentucky; Candace Monaghan, Virginia; Joan Ruskamp, Nebraska; Angie Newbold, Arizona; Laura Goss, Florida

“Women provide essential voices for agriculture,” said Isabella Chism, an Indiana row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “Boot Camp graduates are investing in their growth and stretching themselves to benefit their communities and Farm Bureau on local, state and national levels.”

Boot Camp graduates are Angie Newbold, Arizona; Connor Vincent, Delaware; Laura Goss, Florida; Megan Platt, Indiana; Donzetta Hughes, Kentucky; Haley Eckstrom, Minnesota; Joan Ruskamp, Nebraska; Shelby Ricks, North Carolina; Emily Warnimont, Ohio; Amy McChesney, Pennsylvania; Megan Floyd, South Carolina; Emmy Armstrong, Tennessee; Amanda Norr, Utah; and Candace Monaghan and Stacy Richardson, Virginia.

“Strong agricultural advocacy is more important than ever for agriculture and Farm Bureau is proud to help our members become fantastic ambassadors,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s a pleasure to recognize the farm and ranch leaders who stepped up to complete this elite training. We congratulate them as they drive forward on their leadership journey.”

This is the 22nd Boot Camp hosted by AFBF. The program has 328 graduates and is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau.

“This training provided an incredible opportunity for growth,” said attendee Amy McChesney, a Pennsylvania farmer. “The opportunity to advance my skills and receive constructive criticism on how to improve in all the areas presented was extremely helpful.”

The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, hosts and provides training for Women’s Communications Boot Camp biannually. Applications open in June for the 2025 fall session of Boot Camp.

Photos from this event may be downloaded at http://fb.org/spring25bootcamp.