Morgan Washburn, a Franklin County agriculture teacher and farming advocate, was among 15 agricultural leaders to graduate from American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp on April 5 in Washington.

The intensive four-day course featured hands-on sessions related to public speaking, working with media and messaging. Program graduates will use their training to participate in local media opportunities to strategically support Farm Bureau’s policy work; share information with elected officials; and join social media campaigns that spotlight modern agriculture.

Washburn said the program offered ample opportunities for growth and development. She most enjoyed “meeting all of the inspiring women in agriculture” from across the country and forging relationships with them.

“We were all challenged to become the best leaders and versions of ourselves, and it was amazing how much we all bonded over that experience and our love for agriculture,” she reflected.

She developed a passion for agriculture while attending Virginia Tech, and Washburn said the boot camp helped her gain confidence in advocating for the industry that transformed her life.

“I might not have a background in agriculture, but I have grown to be an agricultural advocate—someone who works to tell the inclusive story of the agriculture industry to strengthen that community and educate everyone around them about its importance,” she said.

Washburn continues her advocacy work on the AFBF Grassroots Outreach Team, where she plays a central role in strengthening agricultural and rural ties with members of Congress. She also plans on attending the AFBF Women’s ACE (Advocate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit in Washington, which is a two-day event offering national learning sessions and advocacy training opportunities for Farm Bureau women.

“I am excited to utilize everything I have learned in the boot camp to be a strong agricultural advocate in Franklin County, the state and nation,” she added.

Washburn teaches high school agriculture for Franklin County Public Schools and also helps her husband operate a small third-generation family farm. They raise and breed Hereford cattle, micro-miniature donkeys, fainting goats and chickens, which she often incorporates in her classroom lessons and community programs.

She also promotes agricultural literacy as a Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom ambassador, and enjoys attending quarterly meetings to introduce new classroom activities and resources.

Along with her teaching and farming endeavors, Washburn serves on the Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee, as District 4 leader on the Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, and is involved with various community agricultural organizations and Farm Bureau subcommittees.

This is the 20th boot camp hosted by AFBF, and boasts 299 graduates, who are all involved in Farm Bureau.

“From engaging with elected officials to consumers, agricultural advocacy is a cornerstone of Farm Bureau,” noted AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re proud to recognize the women farmers and ranchers who completed this training and congratulate them for taking this next step in their leadership journey.”

The AFB Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, runs the Women’s Communications Boot Camp. A fall session will be held Oct. 14-17, with applications opening in June.



With almost 135,000 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 Pam Wiley, VFBF vice president of communications, at 804-291-6315.