GFB News Magazine
GFB launches Leadership GFB
by Jennifer Whittaker
Posted on February 21, 2026 9:48 AM
Congratulations to the inaugural Leadership GFB class! Front row, from left are: Liz Danforth, Lowndes County; Mattie Boyles, Thomas County; Sara Beth Studstill, Wilcox County; Angie Roberts, McDuffie County; and Garrett Hart, Hart County. Back row, from left are: Colt Calhoun, Miller County; Gregg Hendrix, Evans County; Luke Andrews, Lamar County; David Morgan, Pierce County; Toni Gaines, Bartow County; & Owen Paulk, Irwin County. Not pictured is Stephanie Branch, Rabun County. / Photo by Heather King
Twelve Georgia Farm Bureau members from across the state are participating in the inaugural class of Leadership GFB.
Leadership GFB kicked off its year of programs, designed to develop stronger advocates for agriculture, with a retreat Feb. 8-9 at the Georgia FFA/FCCLA Center near Covington. On Feb. 10, Leadership GFB members attended Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol.
Anna Strickland, owner of Harper & Mary Strategies, facilitated the first retreat during which class members took personality assessments to learn their strengths and weaknesses and how they can use their strengths to be better leaders.
“Our members asked for a program like this, especially those who have aged out of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Program, but Leadership GFB is open to all Farm Bureau members who are over 21 years old,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “This program is about ensuring that when ag policy debates heat up, Farm Bureau has leaders ready to speak up for Georgia farmers. We’ve got participants representing a variety of commodities and agribusinesses. We’re excited to watch the class members sharpen their speaking and leadership skills to be prepared to represent us.”
GFB announced the program last October and took applications until Nov. 10. Applicants were interviewed in December and the class announced Feb. 5.
Leadership GFB will equip rising and current GFB leaders with the tools needed to successfully advocate for agriculture, develop their leadership skills and embody the organization’s grassroots mission. Participants will attend sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state and national structure of Farm Bureau and how the organization represents farmers on the state and federal level, and the importance of educating students and consumers about agriculture.
The program will offer class members professional networking opportunities and expand their agricultural knowledge to develop a team of trained advocates.
In April, Leadership GFB participants will travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the American Farm Bureau headquarters and receive advocacy training, visit members of Georgia’s U.S. Congressional delegation, federal agencies and a foreign embassy.
In June, the class will take a deep dive into Georgia Farm Bureau programs and receive communications training. In August, the class will tour farms and agribusinesses in North Georgia. Class participants will tour farms and agribusinesses in South Georgia in October and visit Sunbelt Ag Expo. This year’s session of Leadership GFB will conclude at the GFB Convention in December.
GFB Women’s Leadership Coordinator Heather King and GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Coordinator Levi Davis are overseeing Leadership GFB.