WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2016 – The American Farm Bureau Federation recognized 14 farm and ranch women leaders as graduates of the organization’s tenth annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The group of agricultural leaders was recognized after completing an intensive three-day course featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and messaging.
“It’s a pleasure to see people who come in hungry for knowledge, hungry to do more and educate more for the future of agriculture,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “This organization grows and prospers because of its grassroots. Offering programs such as Women’s Communications Boot Camp helps us create more advocates for Farm Bureau and agriculture.”
Isabella Chism, an Indiana farmer and vice chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, noted, “Through this training, we provide tools to help the participants become stronger leaders and communicators who are confident about sharing messages about agriculture.”
This year’s Boot Camp graduates are: Margo Sue Bittner, New York; Danielle Daum, Florida; Michelle Pace Davis, North Carolina; Lindsay Elliot, Tennessee; Sharon Furches, Kentucky; Deb Gangwish, Nebraska; Lexy Goyer, Kansas; Danielle Grant, West Virginia; Margo Lee Huggins, North Carolina; Faye Hundley, Virginia; Amy Johnson, Virginia; Jenny Osguthorpe, Utah; Lacey Sproul, Nevada; and Whitney Tilley, Tennessee.
The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, hosts and provides training for Women’s Communications Boot Camp. This is the tenth year of the program, which has more than 150 graduates and is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau. An application process is used to select the participants.
Contacts: Kari Barbic Mace Thornton (202) 406-3672 (202) 406-3641 karib@fb.org macet@fb.org