RICHMOND — Twenty-one members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee traveled to the Washington, D.C. area earlier this month to take part in a major national gathering for women in agriculture.
The biennial ACE Summit — which stands for Advocate, Cultivate, Empower — drew approximately 450 attendees from across the United States and beyond for three days of leadership training, advocacy workshops and networking from June 1-3 in Arlington and Washington, D.C. This year’s event also served as a celebration of the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer, honoring the contributions women make to farming, agribusiness and the global food supply.
“It was incredible to have such a large cohort of Virginia women representing us at the summit, especially during the IYWF,” said Faye Hundley, chair of the VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee. “The caliber of speakers and workshop topics made for a thought-provoking and educational experience that empowered women to see their value.”
Over the course of the three-day event, attendees explored the history and importance of the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer and examined the obstacles and possibilities women in agriculture encounter worldwide. Sessions covered emerging trends in global farming, the growing role of technology in agriculture, and ways to effectively communicate agriculture’s story to consumers, policymakers and local communities.
Notable speakers at the summit included Sarah Frey, CEO and founder of Frey Farms; Alexis Taylor, chief global policy officer of the International Fresh Produce Association; and Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
For Jennifer Bryington of Orange County Farm Bureau, the summit was her first ACE experience — and one that left a lasting impression after connecting with agriculture professionals from countries including Ireland and Sweden.
“I attended workshops that stretched my thinking, but it was the conversations in between that stayed with me the most,” she said. “I heard stories of loss and resilience; and stories of women who kept showing up after droughts, hardships, heartbreak, financial struggles and unimaginable challenges. It reminded me of why our work matters so much.”
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s National Women in Agriculture Study, offering an in-depth look at women’s roles throughout U.S. agriculture. The study found that 90% of those surveyed felt confident speaking about agriculture in public or professional settings and expressed interest in taking on leadership roles. It also pointed to areas where greater support is needed, including caregiving responsibilities, skill-building, leadership involvement, financial planning and personal well-being.
On the final day, attendees turned their training into action, heading to Capitol Hill to meet directly with lawmakers. The Virginia delegation sat down with Reps. John McGuire, Eugene Vindman, Jen Kiggans and Ben Cline, sharing firsthand accounts of the challenges facing Virginia’s agricultural communities — including the toll this year’s severe weather has taken on the state’s crops.
Franklin County Farm Bureau member Monica Bowman said the experience reinforced the power of personal storytelling in the political arena.
“Our stories are more than personal experiences — they are powerful tools for shaping policy, building understanding and strengthening agriculture,” she said.
Sheila Newman of Carroll County Farm Bureau agreed, calling the summit a “unique opportunity” to learn from fellow advocates and speak up for farming communities. “I returned home with new knowledge, valuable connections, and a renewed appreciation for the important role women play in agriculture,” she said.
The full Virginia delegation included Candace Monaghan of Botetourt County; Sheila Newman of Carroll County; Aimee Adams of Charlotte County; Roxanne Stonecypher of Chesapeake; Faye Hundley of Essex County; Monica Bowman and Morgan Washburn of Franklin County; Stacy Richardson of King & Queen County; Kelsey Trainor of King George County; Elizabeth Dzula of Essex County; Jennifer Bryington, Katelyn Burner and Melissa Chambers of Orange County; Ginger Shotwell of Pittsylvania County; Ann Smith of Rockbridge County; Ashley Kuhler of Shenandoah County; Sarah Gillsespie of Smyth County; Cutler Blankenship and Amber Compton of Spotsylvania County; and Julia Stephens of Wythe County.
Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program work to support agriculture — the state’s largest industry — through community education, local outreach initiatives and advocacy on behalf of Farm Bureau policies.
