The Voice of Agriculture in the Mountain State
Women's Leadership Committee
The West Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee provides opportunities for women to become involved in all aspects of Farm Bureau, as they add a vital perspective to the organization.
Specific areas of focus are: developing leaders, promoting and educating others about agriculture, and influencing the political process.
2025 Leadership Committee
State Chairperson: Pam Hessler
Vice Chairperson: Mary Clay
Secretary: Debby Burdette
Region 1
Chair: Pam Hessler
Vice-Chair: Dorrie Blue
Region 2
Chair: Jessica Hoover
Vice-Chair: Frances Alt
Region 3
Chair: Tanya Pitsenbarger
Vice-Chair: Andrea Lambert
Region 4
Chair: Beckie Jack
Vice-Chair: Jessica Otte
Region 5
Chair: Ann Nestor
Vice-Chair: Mariah Hatton
Region 6
Chair: Janet Wigal
Vice-Chair: Audra Cunningham
Region 7
Chair: Debby Burdette
Vice-Chair: Miranda King
Region 8
Chair: Mary Clay
Vice-Chair: Robin Shawver
Flora & Denver Turner Memorial Youth Speech
Anna Grace Hays from Roane County, Wins First-place
Congratulations to Anna Grace Hays (Roane County), first-place recipient of the Flora and Denver Turner Memorial Youth Speech Contest Award. Lexi is pictured here with Nick Smith, Dr. Breanna Brown, Kim Turner Brown and her husband, Boone Brown. Many thanks go out to the Turner family. We appreciate that Kim and Boone Brown continue to support our youth and actively participate in the award ceremony.
WVFB Women’s Committee Photo Contest
Category 1: County Farm Bureau Activity
Category 2: Comical, Funny, Whimsical Ag Photograph
Category 3: Rural Scene
General Rules:
- Only 1 entry per person, per category.
- Entries can be sent to the WVFB State Office or brought to the annual meeting on Friday.
- All entries must be 5 x 7 inches and be mounted on a purchased mat board or poster board/cardstock. HINT: It is best NOT to glue the photo to the cardstock/mat board as it warps the photo.
- Both color and black & white photographs are acceptable.
- The mat board/cardstock can be any color.
- Photographs in frames will not be accepted.
- All photographs must have the following information on the back of the picture:
- Photographer’s name
- Address
- Photo Category (Rural Scene, FB Activity, Comical/Funny)
- Entries with name or other markings (names of businesses, advertising, or other script on the front of the mat or photo) will not be accepted.
- NEW for 2026 – You may add a short caption to the photo (typed or neatly printed) and adhered to the mat board or cardstock. Caption should be “family friendly” as youth attend the Annual Meeting.
- Photographs must be the work of the exhibitor and be submitted by amateur photographers.
- Entries will be on display during the WVFB Annual Meeting.
- Judging of photographs will be done by the delegation attending the annual meeting beginning on Saturday morning.
- Anyone submitting a photo for the Rural Scene category may also choose to submit that photo for use as a future cover of WVFB News. In addition to the printed photo submitted for the contest, photographer must submit a high resolution digital format of this photo.
- Photographs must be taken by a Farm Bureau member in good standing. We will check the roster.
- Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category. In case of tie votes, the Women’s Leadership Committee will chose, by “luck of the draw” only 1 winner in each category
- All photos will become property of the WVFB until judging. For publicity purposes, prize winners’ photos need to remain with WVFB. You will not receive your check until after the meeting. If photographs which were chosen winners are not left on the display board for the WV Farm Bureau’s use, you will not be given a prize check.
- WVFB will have the right to use the photos and include them in publications and promotional material.
- By entering this contest, you represent that you have all right to grant, and do hereby grant the West Virginia Farm Bureau a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, publish, display, distribute, reproduce, edit, adapt and create derivative works of the submitted photograph, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter discovered, including in use on websites, in publications and for promotional purposes, without compensation or prior notice to the participant, his or her successors or assigns, or any other entity. ENTERING A SUBMISSION IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES PARTICIPANT’S IRREVOCABLE ASSIGNMENT, CONVEYANCE, AND TRANSFERENCE TO SPONSOR OF THE FOREGOING RIGHTS.
COMPETITION DEADLINES
Please contact your county FB for the county contest deadline and competition time.
STATE DEADLINE: October 15, 2026
PURPOSE:
- To promote a stronger interest and clearer understanding of the many aspects of agriculture.
- To provide opportunities for our youth to gain knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of agriculture, and help to promote its many values and virtues.