Mary (Angie) Newbold of Arizona, alongside fourteen other farm and ranch women leaders across the United States, graduated from the spring session of the Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The group completed an intensive four-day course featuring hands-on sessions on public speaking, media engagement, and messaging to advocate for agriculture.

Newbold and her class of the 22nd Communications Boot Camp agricultural leaders are now equipped to support farmers’ issues and share agriculture’s story through local media, discussions with elected officials, and social media campaigns highlighting modern farming.

Newbold is a first-generation rancher based in Gila County, Arizona, where she and her husband, Cole, help manage a cow-calf operation on the 7/K in Tonto Basin. Additionally, the Newbolds own a water well company serving all of Gila County, prioritizing agricultural wells. Newbold is also a certified bookkeeper working with small agricultural businesses.

A dedicated advocate for agriculture, she serves as president of the Gila County Farm Bureau and on the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation State Board, previously chairing the Arizona Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers. Newbold is a third-generation Arizonan with a background in 4H, FFA, and livestock industry programs, which fueled her passion for agricultural advocacy. An avid long-distance runner, she has completed three marathons and one Ultra marathon and often runs with her dogs. She is also actively involved in her community, volunteering with Arizona Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom.

“The Women’s Leadership Communications Boot Camp was a great experience,” said Newbold. The training, the new friendships and the confidence gained in D.C. will forever stay with me. I’m extremely grateful to have been a part of this.”

“Women provide essential voices for agriculture,” said Isabella Chism, an Indiana row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “Boot Camp graduates are investing in their growth to benefit their communities and Farm Bureau at all levels.”

Along with Newbold from Arizona other graduates include Connor Vincent, Delaware; Laura Goss, Florida; Megan Platt, Indiana; Donzetta Hughes, Kentucky; Haley Eckstrom, Minnesota; Joan Ruskamp, Nebraska; Shelby Ricks, North Carolina; Emily Warnimont, Ohio; Amy McChesney, Pennsylvania; Megan Floyd, South Carolina; Emmy Armstrong, Tennessee; Amanda Norr, Utah; and Candace Monaghan and Stacy Richardson, Virginia.

“Strong agricultural advocacy is critical, and Farm Bureau is proud to support these leaders,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We congratulate these women as they advance in their leadership journey.”

The 22nd Boot Camp adds 328 total graduates to those agriculture leaders that have gone through the program. The program is open to all women in Farm Bureau. “This training was an incredible opportunity,” said Amy McChesney, a Pennsylvania farmer. “The chance to hone my skills and receive constructive feedback was invaluable.”

The AFB Women’s Leadership Committee, in partnership with AFBF staff, hosts the program biannually. Applications for the 2025 fall session open in June.

Row 1 (L to R): Amanda Norr, Utah; Haley Eckstrom, Minnesota; Connor Vincent, Delaware
 Row 2 (L to R): Stacy Richardson, Virginia; Shelby Ricks, North Carolina; Emily Warnimont, Ohio; Amy McChesney, Pennsylvania; Emmy Armstrong, Tennessee
 Row 3 (L to R): Jennifer Cross, Northeast Region representative, AFB Women’s Leadership Committee; Megan Platt, Indiana; Megan Floyd, South Carolina; Donzetta Hughes, Kentucky; Candace Monaghan, Virginia; Joan Ruskamp, Nebraska; Angie Newbold, Arizona; Laura Goss, Florida