One Dozen Graduates, One Goal: Strengthening Women’s Voices in Agriculture

Twelve 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.

“Women play a vital role in advancing agriculture through leadership and engagement,” said Isabella Chism, an Indiana row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “As Boot Camp graduates refine their communications skills, their impact will benefit their communities as well as Farm Bureau at the local, state and national level.”

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Row 1 (L to R) – Nicole Lujan, New Mexico; Mieke deJong, Oregon; Natalie Fullmer, Utah

Row 2 (L to R) – Lorenda Overman, vice chair, AFB Women’s Leadership Committee, North Carolina; Kelsey Prothro, Arkansas; Michelle Patterson, North Carolina; LaDonna LaValle, Florida; Caitlyn Barton, Ohio; Jennifer Williams, Mississippi; Diann Bussell, Tennessee; Sherry Kenney, Louisiana; Margie Raimondo, Arkansas; Haley Brazel, Tennessee; Isabella Chism, chair, AFB Women’s Leadership Committee, Indiana

Boot Camp graduates are Kelsey Prothro and Margie Raimondo of Arkansas; LaDonna LaValle of Florida; Sherry Kenney of Louisiana; Jennifer Williams of Mississippi; Nicole Lujan of New Mexico; Michelle Patterson of North Carolina; Caitlyn Barton of Ohio; Mieke deJong of Oregon; Diann Bussell and Haley Brazel of Tennessee; and Natalie Fullmer of Utah.

“Farm Bureau women across the country continue to step up as advocates for agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We value their commitment to leadership and lifelong learning.”

This is the 24th Boot Camp hosted by AFBF. The program has 353 graduates and is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau.

“This training let us ‘put our boots to the ground’ through real-life scenarios that prepare us to effectively share with people outside of agriculture,” said graduate Haley Brazel, a farmer and Farm Bureau member in Tennessee who is also an analyst at her local USDA Farm Service Agency office.

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 June 22 for the fall 2026 Boot Camp session.

Photos from this event are available for download here.