Women are essential to agriculture — as leaders on and off the farm, running farm and ranch businesses, and advocating on Capitol Hill. The American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership program provides women with opportunities for growth and development to sharpen their skills and strengthen their ability to inspire change.
Women's Leadership programs at the county, state, and national levels bring together women in agriculture who are passionate about advocacy, leadership, and community impact. By building strong connections, engaging in advocacy, and developing as leaders, they work together to make a difference for all who depend on the success of American agriculture.
"Being involved in the Women's Leadership Program has molded me into a better leader for Farm Bureau and my community. I encourage all women to get involved."
— Isabella Chism, AFB Women's Leadership Chair
Program Highlights
Women's Communications Boot Camp
An intensive training program held twice yearly at AFBF headquarters in Washington, D.C. Participants build skills in public speaking, media relations, social media strategy, and communicating with elected officials. Over 353 women have graduated to date.
Ag ConnectHER
A quarterly online event series that spotlights dynamic women leaders across agriculture — from farm organization executives to government officials. Held at 8:00 PM Eastern on the first Tuesday of March, June, September, and December.
Women's ACE Summit
The annual ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit brings together women farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals to develop as leaders, grow their network, and strengthen their voice as advocates for agriculture.
Cultivator Newsletter
A quarterly newsletter delivering program updates, regional news, and Women's Leadership highlights to subscribers across the country. Open to anyone interested in women in agriculture.
Women's Communications Boot Camp
Boot Camp is an intensive training opportunity for any female Farm Bureau member interested in building the skills needed to communicate about agriculture and Farm Bureau. Participants train at AFBF's Washington, D.C. office and graduate as passionate, persuasive advocates who connect with influencers at the local, state, and national levels.
April 20–23, 2026
Application period: December 15 – February 6
October 26–29, 2026
Application period: June 22 – August 10
View Rubric & Sample ApplicationSkills Covered in Boot Camp
- Advocacy and communicating with elected officials
- Public speaking and media interviews
- Social media strategy for agriculture
- Targeted messaging and storytelling
- Working with local and national media
- Influencing consumers through outreach events
"It provided the opportunity to improve my advocacy skills in a number of areas and gain greater confidence as a voice for agriculture. It was also valuable to connect with amazing women involved in farming and ranching from across the country."— Kat Peper, Boot Camp Graduate, Wisconsin Farm Bureau
Women in Agriculture Study
The AFBF Women's Leadership Committee, with support from JBS and CoBank, released a comprehensive national study in June 2026 gathering firsthand perspectives from more than 4,000 women across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The study provides a roadmap to guide future programming for women in agriculture.
9 in 10
women surveyed feel confident speaking at community meetings
~90%
express active interest in stepping into agriculture leadership roles
56%
interested in business and financial management training
52%
identified farm succession and ownership transition as a critical need
Women's ACE Summit
Advocate. Cultivate. Empower.
The ACE Summit is held in early June and is open to all women farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals. Attendees develop as leaders, enhance their women-in-ag network, and grow as strong advocates for agriculture. In 2026, the summit expanded in celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, joining forces with a broad coalition of agrifood system stakeholders.
Learn More About the ACE SummitAg ConnectHER — 2026 Online Events
Ag ConnectHER inspires and equips women in agriculture to succeed in leadership. Each quarterly event spotlights a prominent woman leader in agriculture — from top ag organization executives to government officials and elected leaders. Events are held at 8:00 PM Eastern on the first Tuesday of the month.
Cultivator Newsletter
Stay Connected with Women's Leadership
The Cultivator is a quarterly newsletter delivering program updates, regional news, and Women's Leadership highlights. Anyone interested in women in agriculture is encouraged to subscribe and select their region of interest.
Subscribe to the CultivatorQuick Links
- AFBF Women's Leadership Program
- Women's Communications Boot Camp Application
- Ag ConnectHER — Register for Sept. 1, 2026
- Cultivator Newsletter — Subscribe
- Women in Ag Study Report (June 2026)
- Women's Leadership Merch Store
- AFBF Women's Leadership Committee Map (2026)
- Contact AFBF Women's Leadership
- Polk Young Farmers & Ranchers
- Contact Polk County Farm Bureau
Get Involved in Women's Leadership
Polk County Farm Bureau women are part of a statewide and national network of advocates, leaders, and farm families. Reach out to learn how to participate in Women's Leadership programs at the county, state, and national levels.