Agriculture + Lifestyle

Community key for Women’s Leadership Program

Posted on November 27, 2024 4:21 AM

GFB WLC members Alicia Berry & Jane Wooten volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia. /Photo by Logan Thomas

Georgia Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Program has provided women opportunities for growth and community all year.  

The 3rd Annual Women in Ag Summit, held Nov. 11-12 in Savannah, provided a platform for personal and professional growth while providing attendees a chance to give back. Hosted by the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee, this year’s summit emphasized the importance of making a difference while investing in oneself.  

Before the conference, more than 35 participants visited the Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia. One group spent time preparing a hot meal for those in need, while the other sorted donations and assisted with other essential tasks.

The conference also included a service project session. Attendees made over 30 blankets donated to the Savannah Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and assembled 100 toiletry kits for local food banks. 

This fall, GFB WLC district chairwomen hosted meetings for the ladies in their districts to network while learning about GFB programs and agriculture. District 1: Melissa Petty hosted a tour of R&A Orchards and the Gilmer County Cannery. District 2: Stephanie Branch held an event at the Northeast Georgia Food Bank that highlighted the Hunters for the Hungry program. District 3: Kaylee Goodson coordinated a tour of Nixon Holler Flower Farm. District 4: Angie Roberts arranged a tour of pecan, forestry and mushroom farms. District 5: Amy Moncrief hosted a meeting at Cooley Farms to learn about poultry production and bees. District 8: Alicia Berry’s event at Calhoun Produce included a farm tour and lunch.

The other districts held events from May through the summer that were previously reported. Many thanks to all the district GFB WLC chairmen for planning wonderful events for their districts.

This article was written by former GFB Leadership Programs Coordinator Breanna Berry. Heather King is the new Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Coordinator. She may be reached at hcking@gfb.org or 1-800-342-1192. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to get involved with your local WL Program. 

King new WL Coordinator

Heather King is leading GFB’s Women’s Leadership Program effective Nov. 25. King was previously GFB’s 6th District federation manager since July 2018. Prior to joining GFB, she was the education program specialist at Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center in Fort Valley.

King is a native of Stephens County where she grew up on a poultry farm and was active in FFA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ag economics from Fort Valley State University.

She and her husband, Trey, live in Macon.

Heather King