Women’s Program Committee

Women in Farm Bureau play a vital role in the development of policies and programs and are encouraged to be active in all areas of Farm Bureau.

The purpose of the Farm Bureau Women's Program is to promote and enrich the entire Connecticut Farm Bureau program. To encourage the involvement of women in the organization as well as to promote, protect, and represent the business, economic, social and educational interests of farm families in the state. In addition, the Women's program provides an opportunity for women to become actively involved in programs and assume leadership roles in the Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau Women promote programs unique to their committee. Their activities expand the role of Farm Bureau beyond the traditional boundaries.

Farm Bureau Women's activities include:

Agricultural Education
Through programs like Farm-City Week, and the Traveling Farm, Farm Bureau Women work to educate the public about the benefits of agriculture. The Annual Ag Business Forum presents the opportunity for members to network and participate in educational seminars that include farm marketing, meeting challenges facing family business and more. Other education activities that are sponsored for the public are Food Check-Out Day, County Farm Tours and other events throughout the year.
Click here for more information on Food Check Out Day
Leadership Development
Members learn to become more effective spokespersons for agriculture as well as develop the skills needed to be effective Farm Bureau leaders at the county, state and national level.
Legislative Program
Members become involved in letter writing and phone campaigns, sponsor county meet-the-candidate meetings and make personal contacts with legislators regarding Farm Bureau issues.
Political Influence
Working with political education programs, members strive to help others in agriculture learn more about the political process.
The current State Women's Committee members are:

Chair - Jane Sheldon
Vice Chair - Anne Staebner
Secretary - Sydney Mintz
Fairfield County - Alyce Block
Hartford County - Tina Smith
Litchfield County - Judy Chase & Connie LeGeyt
Middlesex County - Sydney Mintz
New Haven County - Denise Smith & Mary Ellen Wettemann
New London County - Louise Randall & Anne Staebner
Tolland County - Laura Fonicello
Windham County - Jean Palazzi & Eleanore Provencal

For additional information regarding the Women's Committee please contact Kathleen Dunai-Thibedeau, Director of Programs and Leadership Development, , 860-768-1107.