The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee recognized Angela Buchanan of Mecklenburg County with its Outstanding Farm Bureau Woman Award on April 4 at the organization’s leadership conference in Henrico County.

The award honored Buchanan’s achievements and contributions to the Women’s Leadership Program.

Buchanan joined Farm Bureau as an administrative assistant for the Virginia Foundation of Agriculture in the Classroom in 2006. In 2008, she accepted the position of program coordinator for the Women’s and Young Farmers programs.

Throughout her tenure, she worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Women’s Program. She secured keynote speakers, prepared countless presentations and assisted state and county women’s committees.

“Angela made it her mission to get to know the women’s committee in each county by helping with their questions, attending their activities and being attentive to their needs,” said Faye Hundley, state Women’s Leadership Committee chair. “She supported the state women’s committee and helped us to achieve our dreams. No matter how crazy or outside the box, she made it happen if the committee wanted it. She was very supportive and understanding of all our ideas and activities.”

Understanding the importance of cultivating grassroots leaders and community stewardship, Buchanan strongly promoted adding the word “leadership” to the Women’s Program—becoming part of its current name. She also played a pivotal role in creating the Women’s Leadership Academy, where participants learn about outreach, networking, communications and legislative advocacy skills to better support agriculture and Farm Bureau.

Buchanan was instrumental in facilitating fundraising and sponsorships. Her efforts to acquire sponsors for events and raffles helped the Women’s Leadership Committee raise over $100,000 to benefit the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.

Buchanan said she was honored to be selected Outstanding Farm Bureau Woman.

“It was a privilege to support the Women’s Leadership Committee for 13 years,” Buchanan said. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the work the VFBF women accomplished during my tenure. It was truly an honor to be a part of the program and recognized for my contributions to their success.”

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 more than 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.