Savannah Goodwin’s interest in marrying agriculture with economics and policy development led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech in applied economic management with a focus on international trade and development.

Currently a junior, Goodwin was named the 2025 Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador at the recent Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Conference in Richmond.

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.

“I dislike grocery shopping,” Goodwin admitted during her presentation at the conference. Confusion about food labeling led her to formulate her platform, “The Community Plate.”

“Those of us who grew up near agriculture may be surprised at the distance between the everyday consumer and their plate,” she said. The Community Plate would provide information for use at local fairs or Farm Bureau-sponsored workshops to help overcome the mystery behind grocery store labeling. Materials may include agriculture-based games or presentations on breaking down food labels or recognizing ingredients in common foods.

“I want to instill confidence in our (agriculture) industry through the consumer’s eye.”

Goodwin is active in Sigma Alpha, Virginia Tech’s agricultural sorority; she’s a member of the VT National Agri-Marketing Association; and she rides for the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team. She recently was accepted into the Hokies on the Hill program, an internship that provides students an opportunity to work on Capitol Hill to learn about U.S. Congress and politics.

Through that program, she hopes to expand her understanding of national policies related to agriculture and apply that to her future career.

“Growing up on a beef cattle farm and gaining experiences through FFA have given me insight into the communication gap that exists between agriculture and the general public.

“As Virgina Farm Bureau Ambassador, I hope that my platform, ’The Community Plate,’ will bring unity to producers and consumers.”

Goodwin earned a $2,000 cash award courtesy of Colonial Farm Credit and Farm Bureau.

Runner-up is Maddie Moore of Washington County, who is a 2024 graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences. 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 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 Christy Murphy, women’s leadership program coordinator, at 804-584-6210.