Women's Leadership Committee

The Women’s Leadership Committee contributes an essential perspective to the organization and provides opportunities for women to be come involved in all aspects of Farm Bureau.

The Women's Leadership Committee adopts and carries out a variety of projects that advance agriculture and Farm Bureau goals in areas ranging from policy development and legislative affairs to education. The committee coordinates its activities with other WFB advisory committees and with county Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committees.

Upcoming events

The 2008 WFB Women's Spring Leadership Conference is April 10-11 at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center in downtown Walla Walla.  

"Preserving Our Past -- Embracing Our Future" is the theme of the conference.  The conference is open to all Farm Bureau women and their spouses.  A meeting agenda and fill-in-the blank registration form is available. 

Registration is $15 per person, and the registration deadline is April 1.  Meeting materials and meals are included. 

The deadline for room reservations at the Marcus Whitman Hotel is March 17 (see reservation details on registration form).

This year's conference will focus on leadership, farm diversification and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). 

The event features exciting guest speakers, including Suzie Humphreys, whose unstoppable “Can- Do” spirit, no-nonsense wit and infectious laugh will provide a memorable experience.

To register or for more information, contact Sandy McCaig or call (800) 331-3276.

The 2008 Farm Bureau Women's National Conference is April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. “Growing Stronger, Reaching Higher” is the theme of the third annual conference sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. The conference, which is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau, is hosted by the Galt House Hotel and Suites on the riverfront in Louisville. Make your plans now to join over 600 Farm Bureau women from across the nation to learn, laugh, tour and enjoy Southern hospitality at its best!

Session topics will include developing communication skills for telling agriculture’s story, how to become a more effective leader, making your voice heard with lawmakers and regulators, and new ideas for personal growth and development.

Terry Gilbert, Chair of the AFBF Women's Leadership Committee and a corn and cattle producer from Danville, Ky., and AFBF President Bob Stallman will address conference attendees at the opening general session on Saturday, April 26.

Other featured speakers include Jolene Brown, who will discuss farm family business dynamics and Jon Carloftis, garden designer to the stars. Betty Wolanyk of the AFB Foundation for Agriculture will explain new educational tools developed to debunk common misconceptions about agriculture.

WFB Women's Leadership Committee

Kathy Frice, Chair

Pam Hesse

Helen Boldt

Cheryl Ouellette

Mary K. Vejraska

Virginia Sheets

Vicki Malloy

Roxanne Husmann

Dianne Appel

WFB staff contact: Sandy McCaig or call (800) 331-3276 

Women's Leadership Committee Projects

Ag Day / Ag Appreciation Event -- Each year, the Women’s Leadership Committee participates in an Ag Day / Ag Appreciation event at the state Capitol to bring awareness to the importance of the agricultural industry in Washington.  The 2008 event on Feb. 20 featured a breakfast on the third floor of the Capitol rotunda and the delivery of special gift bags to all legislative offices.

WFB Scholarship Auction -- Washington Farm Bureau offers five $2,000 scholarships every year to college students enrolled in an agricultural field of study. The Women's Leadership Committee funds these scholarships by sponsoring an auction during Farm Bureau's annual meeting in November. Items for the auction are donated by county Farm Bureaus and individual Farm Bureau members. The next scholarship auction is Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at the Wenatchee Convention Center in Wenatchee.   

WFB Women's Spring Leadership Conference -- The Women's Leadership Committee sponsors an annual leadership development conference. The 2008 WFB Women's Spring Leadership Conference will be held in Walla Walla, April 10-11, at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Confernce Center.