Recognizing a disconnect between consumers and the sources of their food led Savannah Jones to help “bridge the gap” through agricultural literacy.
The Appomattox County High School senior was named the 2026 Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador at the recent Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Conference in Harrisonburg.
Faye Hundley, VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee chair, said the award recognizes young adults for their achievements in agriculture and provides them with an opportunity to serve as ambassadors for Farm Bureau and the state’s largest industry.
A fourth-generation farmer and active in FFA and 4-H, Jones plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal science and become a large animal veterinarian.
“Did you know that 7% of Americans believe that chocolate milk comes from a brown cow?” Jones asked when presenting her platform during the conference. “While that doesn’t seem like much, it equates to 23 million people.”
With the average American three generations removed from the farm, Jones’ platform would help build connections among farming and schoolchildren though agricultural literacy lesson kits. The kits would include a 10- to 20-minute lesson, a hands-on activity, a Virginia commodity spotlight and an informative video.
Additionally, she would create seasonal virtual adopt-a-farm partnerships for primary-age students throughout the school year. Through photos, videos and virtual Q&As, the initiative would connect “students to real Virginia agriculture” while also providing farmers opportunities to share their stories.
“These activities will introduce consumers to what farmers are doing and why they’re doing it, as well as highlight the deep passion and love agriculturalists have for growing crops and raising livestock,” Jones explained.
Jones has held leadership roles in her high school FFA chapter, served as a 4-H Youth Livestock State Ambassador, and is a member of the Appomattox Student Internship Program. She said her involvement in these youth programs has shaped her own path.
“Our youth are the next generation of agriculture supporters, and we must start there to invoke change,” Jones said. “I hope to sow a seed for a love of ag that will blossom as they grow.”
Jones earned a $2,000 cash award courtesy of Colonial Farm Credit and Farm Bureau.
Runner-up is Mindi Burch of Shenandoah County, who has a master’s in business administration from Perdue University Global. She owns Corner Market Farm to Table with her husband, Ben, serves as an EMT with Augusta County Fire and Rescue, and teaches part time at Bridgewater College. She was awarded a $500 cash prize.
Participants in the Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program support agriculture, the state’s largest industry, through educational efforts in their communities; local outreach projects; and advocacy for Farm Bureau policies.
With almost 137,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to supporting Virginia’s agriculture industry.
Contact Christy Murphy, Women’s Leadership Program coordinator, at 804-584-6210.
