Cultivating Leadership: How Women Are Shaping the Future of Arizona Agriculture

As the Arizona Farm Bureau Summer Agricultural Conference begins, this year's

theme, "Seeding, Feeding, and Leading," celebrates the women whose leadership, resilience, and dedication continue to strengthen Arizona agriculture while inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Written by Holly Anderson, Agricultural Communications Intern

Today, agricultural leaders from across Arizona are gathering with a shared purpose: to learn, connect, and cultivate the leadership that will help shape the future of the state's agricultural industry. While the Arizona Farm Bureau Summer Agricultural Conference provides an opportunity for professional growth and collaboration, it also serves as a reminder of the countless women whose leadership has helped agriculture thrive for generations.

Arizona agriculture has always been built on hard work, resilience, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Throughout the state's history, women have played an essential role in shaping the agricultural industry, contributing as farmers, ranchers, educators, researchers, business owners, and advocates. Their leadership has strengthened family farms, supported rural communities, and helped ensure Arizona agriculture continues to grow alongside a changing world.

As this year's conference celebrates the theme "Seeding, Feeding, and Leading," it highlights an important truth: just as farmers invest in the future through the care of their crops and livestock, investing in people through mentorship, education, and leadership development helps ensure Arizona agriculture remains strong for generations to come.

Leadership Begins with a Strong Foundation

For many women in agriculture, leadership begins long before they hold a title or serve on a board. It starts on family farms and ranches, through early mornings caring for livestock, long days in the field, and lessons passed down from one generation to the next. Organizations like 4-H and FFA often provide young people with their first opportunities to develop leadership skills, teaching responsibility, teamwork, public speaking, and service while fostering a lifelong appreciation for agriculture.

For Shawn Wood, American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee Western Region Representative, Maricopa County Farm Bureau Second Vice President and First Vice President of the State of Arizona Farm Bureau Board, that journey began on her family's third-generation farm in Buckeye. Growing up immersed in agriculture, Wood participated in both 4-H and FFA while gaining firsthand experience in every aspect of farm life, from cotton harvest to operating a hay baling crew. Those early experiences fostered a deep appreciation for agriculture and the values of hard work, resilience, and service that continue to guide her today.

Wood's journey also reflects the many paths that can lead to agricultural leadership. After earning her commercial pilot's license, she pursued a degree in agribusiness and later built a career as an agricultural appraiser with Farm Credit. Working alongside farming and ranching families across Arizona gave her valuable insight into the challenges, opportunities, and family legacies that define the state's agricultural industry. Today, her leadership is rooted in those experiences and in a continued commitment to supporting producers and strengthening the future of agriculture.

Growing Through Mentorship and Service

Leadership in agriculture is rarely developed alone. Behind many successful agricultural professionals is a mentor who offered encouragement, shared knowledge, or inspired confidence along the way. Whether it's a parent teaching the next generation to care for the land, an FFA advisor helping students discover new opportunities, or an experienced producer guiding a young farmer through their first season, mentorship has long been a cornerstone of agriculture.

Wood has often emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and encourage growth. Throughout her career, she has encouraged others to embrace new opportunities, build meaningful relationships, and view challenges as steppingstones rather than setbacks. Her perspective reflects the collaborative nature of agriculture itself, where producers, educators, researchers, and industry leaders work together to strengthen the communities they serve. Her story serves as a reminder that leadership is not simply about holding a position but that it is about investing in others and helping cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Finding Your Place in Agriculture

While some agricultural leaders grow up on family farms, others discover their passion through new experiences and a desire to serve. Sherry Saylor's journey demonstrates that there is no single path to leadership in agriculture. Originally from South Carolina, Saylor had little exposure to production agriculture before moving to Buckeye, Arizona, after marrying her husband, Rick. As she became involved in Arizona agriculture, she found opportunities to serve through Farm Bureau and developed a passion for advocating on behalf of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

While balancing a 40-year career as a school counselor, Saylor became deeply involved in agricultural leadership, serving in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, the Women's Leadership Committee, and eventually as Chair of the American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee. Throughout her career, she has championed agricultural literacy, encouraged women to step into leadership roles, and demonstrated the importance of building relationships that strengthen both agriculture and local communities.

Saylor's story reinforces an important message: leadership is not defined by where you begin but by your willingness to learn, serve, and inspire others. Whether mentoring young agriculturalists, advocating for the industry, or sharing agriculture's story with consumers, her experiences reflect the many ways women continue to shape the future of Arizona agriculture.

Many Paths, One Purpose

The stories of Shawn Wood and Sherry Saylor represent two different journeys, yet they share a common purpose: strengthening agriculture through leadership and service. Across Arizona, women are making meaningful contributions in every sector of the industry. They manage family farms and ranches, lead agribusinesses, conduct agricultural research, educate future generations, advocate for producers, and serve in leadership roles that help agriculture continue to thrive.

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, women account for more than one-third of all agricultural producers in the United States, reflecting their growing role in farm management and agricultural decision-making. Across Arizona, women continue to bring diverse experiences and perspectives to an industry that depends on innovation, collaboration, and strong leadership to meet the challenges of a changing world.

Whether working behind the scenes or serving in highly visible leadership positions, women continue to strengthen Arizona agriculture through their commitment to their families, communities, and the future of the industry. Their leadership can be seen not only on farms and ranches, but also in classrooms, research laboratories, agribusinesses, commodity organizations, and community organizations throughout the state.

Cultivating the Next Generation

Events like the Arizona Farm Bureau Summer Agricultural Conference provide more than opportunities for networking because they also create spaces where ideas are shared, relationships are built, and future leaders are inspired. Through educational sessions, leadership development, and collaboration, attendees gain tools that strengthen not only their own careers but also the agricultural communities they serve.

As attendees gather under this year's theme, "Seeding, Feeding, and Leading," they carry forward a tradition of leadership rooted in service, strengthened through mentorship, and cultivated through a shared commitment to Arizona agriculture. From the fields and ranches that sustain our communities to the boardrooms, classrooms, and organizations shaping the industry's future, women continue to demonstrate that leadership grows through experience, collaboration, and a passion for serving others.

While Arizona agriculture continues to evolve, investing in leadership remains just as important as investing in the land itself. The women gathering at this year's conference represent generations of dedication, innovation, and service while helping cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. Their stories remind us that the future of agriculture depends not only on the crops we grow or the livestock we raise, but on the people who choose to lead, mentor, and inspire those who will carry the industry forward.

If you are interested in attending, there is still time! Join us this Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th in Flagstaff for your opportunity to network and grow in Arizona agriculture! REGISTRATION HERE

References

Arizona Farm Bureau. (2026). 2026 Summer Agricultural Conference. https://www.azfb.org/Article/2026-Summer-Agricultural-Conference

Arizona Farm Bureau. (2025). Arizona Agriculture's Amazing Female Farmer Story. https://www.azfb.org/Article/Arizona-Agricultures-Amazing-Female-Farmer-Story

Maricopa County Farm Bureau. (2025). Arizona Agriculture Connection: Shawn Wood. https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/post/arizona-agriculture-connection-shawn-wood

Maricopa County Farm Bureau. (2025). Arizona Agriculture Connection: Sherry Saylor. https://www.maricopacountyfb.org/post/aac-sherry-saylor

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2024). 2022 Census of Agriculture. https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/