May 2008

Making connections is key to agriculture education, speakers tell women at conference

Promoting agriculture is all about connections: connecting with other farmers; connecting with the general public; and helping everybody make the connection between farms and food.

And today’s Farm Bureau women play an important role in making those connections.

That was the theme woven through the annual Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Conference, held Feb. 29 through March 2 in Williamsburg.

“Bringing people together is a very important role,” said Martha Moore, keynote speaker and VFBF director of governmental relations.

Angie Hart, a Farm Bureau sales trainer who led one of four workshops during the conference, asked participants to stand and link arms with those beside them—a reminder that they stand “that close” to people who don’t understand agriculture, Farm Bureau or the origins of their food.

“Every day we touch people who eat food,” Hart said. “We need to make the connection for them.”

In another workshop, “Bridging the Generational Divide,” Doug Stoughton, VFBF director of the Women’s and Young Farmer programs, said the key to getting younger people involved in farming—and younger volunteers involved in Farm Bureau—is understanding what motivates different generations.

“You’ve got to get people engaged,” Stoughton said. “All of you in this room have the potential to go forward with great opportunities, and great opportunities are great possibilities.”

A dozen county Farm Bureau women’s committees were recognized during the conference for outstanding education and outreach programs.