RICHMOND—Female agricultural leaders from across Virginia came together to share honest perspectives about juggling farming operations, family obligations, and community roles during a forum titled “Harvest of Hustle: Women Leading Farms, Families & Futures.”
The discussion took place after morning advocacy work at the Virginia State Capitol, where participants in the Women’s Leadership Program met with legislators to champion Agricultural Literacy Week and other key issues during Farm Woman Lobby Day on February 26.
The panel featured representatives from farming operations throughout Virginia’s agricultural regions, including longtime farm advocate Maxine Arey from Augusta County, Kimberly Foley who leads Foley Seed & Service in Hanover County, fifth-generation farmer and agribusiness owner Kayla Lawrence from Frederick County, and Sarah Barlow Rudolph, a Wythe County advocate who manages both farm duties and a full-time career.
Foley recalled watching her father’s difficulties in the cattle industry during the early 2000s, which forced him to take work as a local agriculture instructor to save the farm.
“Up until that point, I was absolutely determined that I was not going to be involved in agriculture or subject my family to the tough stuff that they dealt with,” she recalled.
However, witnessing his dedication inspired Foley to forge her own agricultural career path. She emphasized that personal strength often becomes clear only when looking back.
“A setback can signify progress,” Foley said. “It’s putting you in the right position at the right time to be creative about new decisions you get to make.”
Lawrence similarly observed her father overcome farming obstacles and changes. She now works alongside him full-time at Richard’s Fruit Market, a family operation spanning 73 years.
“We’ve had freezes, we’ve had droughts,” Lawrence said. “We’ve had to sell cattle because we couldn’t feed them. But I’ve learned you have to fix that problem right then and there, and worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow. Farm Bureau has pushed us through these times. Those connections helped us figure out how to solve these problems.”
Rudolph emphasized that preserving Virginia’s agricultural heritage depends on investing in future farmers. She criticized the longstanding practice of discouraging bright rural students from returning to agriculture.
“We won’t do that to this next generation, because there’s so many wonderful ways that they can play into agriculture, regardless of whether they decide on a four-year university or not,” she said. “We can use their passion to continue to grow our industry.”
Arey stressed that current farm operators must prepare pathways for the next generation to succeed.
“One of the best gifts you can give is a good farm succession plan,” she said.
The farm women also attended a confidence-building presentation by Carrie Walker, American Farm Bureau Federation director of membership engagement.
