The spring session of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp is April 20-23, 2026. Dot Jensen, chair of the Utah Farm Bureau's Women's Leadership Committee, hopes that Utah women in agriculture will continue to apply and be represented in the upcoming training.

"The training women receive at Boot Camp is fantastic, and helps refine the leadership skills they already have to we can be amazing advocates for agriculture," Jensen said. "Women play a critical part of the success of our farms and ranches. Whether it's the day-to-day decision making and production decisions, to the work we do in advocacy and education. Women are needed now more than ever."

Shawn Wood, an Arizona farmer and member of the AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee, said the Women’s Communications Boot Camp is an incredible experience.

"Inside that experience, it's an intensive multi-day training program for female Farm Bureau members who want to strengthen their communication and advocacy skills," Wood said. "That includes hands on sessions in public speaking, media training, message development, and strategic storytelling, and it all focuses on helping women become effective and represent agriculture and Farm Bureau.

Jackie Larson, a farmer from Utah County, graduated from the Boot Camp last year, and shared what she gained from the experience.

"The experience helped shape how I communicate and advocate for Utah agriculture, strengthening my ability to clearly and effectively share real agricultural experiences with the media, policymakers, and the public," Larson said. "It prepared me to thoughtfully and creatively use these skills in many different settings and reinforced the importance of farmers and ranchers stepping into leadership so agriculture is represented by people who live it every day."

Jackie Larson (center) of Utah County graduated from the Media Boot Camp in Fall 2025.

One of the most important qualities they hope to see in applicants is a passion for agriculture and advocating.

"Women who actively are involved in farming, ranching, agribusiness, agriculture leadership," Wood said. "Secondly, a desire to advocate so applicants who want to speak for agriculture in their communities with media or in policies and really that can be starting from the beginning all the way up to experienced. It really meets someone where they're at."

Wood said that all Farm Bureau women are encouraged to apply, regardless of the level of advocacy experience they currently have.

"If you're just getting started in your journey, or if you really have been quite involved and you're looking for that fine polishing skills, this boot camp creates better advocates wherever that person and that woman may be at," Wood said. "So, Boot Camp equips someone with the practical, real world communication skills that directly strengthen their advocacy impact."

Learn more and apply for the experience by February 6 at fb.org/women.