Bluemont, VA |

From policy discussions in Washington, D.C., to hands-on experiences in the field, a new leadership program from the Georgia Farm Bureau is already shaping the next generation of agricultural advocates.

Recently, members traveled to both Washington and Virginia as part of the Leadership GFB program—an initiative designed to strengthen leadership skills, build confidence, and prepare participants to take a more active role in advocating for agriculture.

“Leadership GFB is a new program for members who want to increase their advocacy and leadership development skills,” said Heather King, Women’s Leadership Program Coordinator. “We’re looking for people who are already engaged and want to take that next step.”

Taking Leadership to the Next Level

For participants already involved in Farm Bureau, the program offers a deeper level of engagement—providing opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

“We have folks who devote a lot of time and effort to Georgia Farm Bureau,” King said. “We want to give them more experiences, build a cohort they can grow with, and provide skills they can take back to their communities.”

That combination of networking and skill-building is designed to create stronger leaders—not just within the organization, but across rural Georgia.

Telling Agriculture’s Story

While leadership development is a central focus, the program also emphasizes one critical responsibility: telling the story of agriculture.

“It’s important that the people working in agriculture are the ones telling their story,” King explained. “There are a lot of voices out there talking about farming, but advocacy means sharing that firsthand perspective.”

And according to program leaders, that advocacy shouldn’t stop at the Capitol.

“We talk a lot about speaking with legislators, and that’s important,” King said. “But we also need to advocate to everyone we come in contact with about how important agriculture is.”

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—for participants comes when they step outside familiar agricultural circles.

“It’s easy for people in agriculture to talk to each other,” King said. “But when you’re speaking to someone who didn’t grow up on a farm, it can be intimidating.”

That’s why experiences like this trip are so valuable. By interacting with people from different backgrounds—especially in more urban settings—participants gain real-world practice in communicating agriculture’s importance.

“It puts them outside their comfort zone,” King added. “And that’s where growth happens.”

Preparing for the Future

As agriculture continues to evolve, so does the need for strong, effective advocates who can bridge the gap between rural and urban communities.

Through programs like Leadership GFB, Georgia Farm Bureau is investing in those future leaders—equipping them with the tools, experience, and confidence needed to represent agriculture at every level.

Because in today’s landscape, telling the story of agriculture is just as important as producing it.

By: John Holcomb