Candace Monaghan of Botetourt County and Stacy Richardson of King and Queen County were among 15 agricultural leaders to graduate from American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp earlier this spring 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.
Monaghan said the program was “very rewarding.” She most enjoyed connecting with women in agriculture from across the country who share the same passions, values and priorities.
“That was a phenomenal feeling,” she reflected. “Meeting each of them and learning their backgrounds, what they are fighting to protect and why, was just as inspirational as the course itself.”
The Botetourt County farmer and business owner said the boot camp offered valuable opportunities for stepping outside of her comfort zone.
“They say the No. 1 fear over dying is public speaking, and I believe that!” Monaghan quipped. “But feeling uncomfortable is known to evoke growth. Not only did we learn steps to prepare a successful speech, but we also learned how to effectively deliver the information and handle tough questions from the media.”
Next to refining her public speaking skills, Richardson enjoyed meeting with elected officials to “discuss and promote the topics most passionate to us.”
“I am so grateful for the opportunity,” she remarked. “I look forward to continuing to implement what I have learned, grow my skills, and network through my boot camp connections.”
Richardson’s passion for agriculture blossomed at a young age from shadowing her grandfather, a Florida produce farmer, and her paternal grandfather, a North Carolina produce farmer. She started her advocacy work after meeting her husband, Hunter, who grows corn and soybeans. The couple also operates an Angus cow-calf operation and agritourism business.
Richardson advocates for farmers through involvement with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and other organizations. She is a recent graduate of the VFBF Women’s Leadership Academy I and II, and a member of the King and Queen County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program. She has served as an AFBF Annual Convention voting delegate, participated in the annual VFBF Legislative Day, and graduated from the 2025 Farm Credit Ag Biz program. She also hosted her county Farm Bureau women’s leadership committee’s Ag Day Festival this year. The event drew more than 300 people.
Additionally, Richardson promotes agriculture as a Realtor with Abbitt Realty—advocating for landowners and buyers of farms, estates and historical and rural properties. She looks forward to continuing her advocacy work at AFBF’s 2025 Advocacy Fly-In in June.
Monaghan fostered a lifelong passion for agriculture while growing up on her family’s dairy farm and attending a variety of Farm Bureau events. She and her siblings spent their weekends and summers milking cows and bottle-feeding calves.
A VFBF leader, Monaghan comes from a long line of agriculture advocates. Her grandfather was a president of Botetourt County Farm Bureau—a position her father now holds—and her mother founded her county Farm Bureau women’s leadership committee. Monaghan has served as president of that committee for four years and is a member of the Botetourt Farm Bureau board of directors.
She also owns and operates a graphic design business, event venue and agritourism venture on her Buchanan farm. She founded the annual Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival in 2016. The festival draws roughly 20,000 visitors from more than 30 states to the farm every September.
This spring’s boot camp is the 22nd that AFBF has hosted. The program boasts 328 graduates, all of whom are involved in Farm Bureau.
“Strong agricultural advocacy is more important than ever for agriculture, and Farm Bureau is proud to help our members become fantastic ambassadors,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s a pleasure to recognize the farm and ranch leaders who stepped up to complete this elite training. We congratulate them as they drive forward on their leadership journey.”
The AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, runs the Women’s Communications Boot Camp. Applications open in June for the 2025 fall session.
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 Christina Amano Dolan, VFBF communications projects coordinator, at 804-401-0793.