Virginia Farm Bureau Federation honored Wayne and Pattie Pryor of Hadensville Dec. 4 with two of its highest awards during the 2024 VFBF Annual Convention in Hot Springs.

The Pryors received the VFBF Distinguished Service to Virginia Farm Bureau Award for their support of the organization. Wayne Pryor, the organization’s immediate past president, also was recognized with the Distinguished Service to Virginia Agriculture Award.

Earlier that day, Pryor retired from the role of VFBF president after 18 years in that office and 36 years on the organization’s board.

The Pryors make their home at Pryoville Farms, where they raise grain and hay.

Colleagues on the Farm Bureau board describe Wayne Pryor as a gentle, reserved leader who is willing to delegate authority.

“He listens to all points of view before making decisions,” said VFBF’s longest-serving state board member, J.M. “Jerry” Jenkins of Lunenburg County. “He is willing to stand up for what he believes in, but he doesn’t blow his own bugle.”

Wayne Pryor grew up on his family’s Goochland County farm. Pattie Pryor, who retired from a nursing career, is from Hanover County. She has long been involved in local activities, including those of the Goochland County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

“She sets an example of how to best support our loved ones in leadership, and through the daily stresses of farm life,” said Jeanette Everett of Southampton County, who shared the 2023 Distinguished Service to Farm Bureau Award with her husband, M.L.

“Wayne walks the walk and talks the talk of a Southern country gentleman,” noted M.L. Everett, a past VFBF board member. “He truly represents the image of the Virginia farmer and Virginia Farm Bureau.”

Wayne Pryor also has served as president, CEO or chairman of the board for the Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.; Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC; the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability; and Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. He is past president and chair of the board of directors for Countryway Insurance Co., and is a charter member of the State Fair of Virginia Youth Development Board.

Additionally, he has 26 years of service on the Mississippi-based Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. board, with 18 years on the executive committee, and is currently the president through February.

Though he won’t take full credit for Farm Bureau’s successes during his tenure, he said he is most proud of appointing leaders who are moving the organization forward.

“Thanks to them, the federation and family of companies are healthy, and the future is bright,” he said. “I’ve done very little. But as a company, employees and a board, we’ve done a lot.”

When not farming or attending to Farm Bureau business, the Pryors spend time preparing meals and visiting with the sick and homebound in their community. They are members of the local historical society. He is a Mason and proudly follows his father’s legacy as an elder at Forest Grove Christian Church.


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. View more convention news as it becomes available at vafb.com/convention, and follow us on social media via #VFBF24 #CultivatingConnections.

Contact Pam Wiley, VFBF vice president of communications, at 804-291-6315.