Elizabeth Cooper, a Surry County farmer and Virginia Cooperative Extension agent, was among 14 agricultural leaders to graduate from American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp on Oct. 18 in Washington.

The intensive four-day course featured hands-on sessions related to public speaking, working with media, and crafting targeted 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.

Cooper said the program was “an amazing experience.” She most enjoyed connecting with women in agriculture from across the country and learning how to effectively communicate their stories.

“It was really great training in agriculture advocacy—figuring out how to best tell our stories and advocate for ourselves, our farms, agriculture and the good work we’re doing, and really be prepared for the tough questions,” she reflected.

The agriculture and natural resources Extension agent for Surry and Sussex counties said the boot camp offered valuable learning opportunities for refining her public speaking skills.

“This really took me out of my comfort zone in learning how to tell the story of agriculture and advocate for our needs and communities to people who may not always understand why we do what we do,” she added.

Cooper has served as an agriculture advocate through “lifelong” involvement with Virginia Farm Bureau. She currently serves on the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and on that body’s safety and youth outreach subcommittees. A fourth-generation farmer, she helps out on her family’s Itata Farms in Surry County, where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat, and manage a herd of Black Angus beef cattle.

“This program has given me that confidence boost to keep advocating for farmers and Farm Bureau in any way that I can,” Cooper remarked.

This is the 21st boot camp hosted by AFBF, and the program boasts 313 graduates, all of whom are involved in Farm Bureau.

“Agricultural advocacy remains a cornerstone of Farm Bureau,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re proud to honor the farm and ranch leaders who completed this training and congratulate them for taking the next step in their leadership journey.”

The AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, runs the Women’s Communications Boot Camp. Applications open in December for the 2025 spring session.

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.