For Immediate Release:

Contact: David Varner, Media & Marketing Specialist
717-731-3541 | dwvarner@pfb.com

 

HERSHEY – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s (PFB) Women’s Leadership Committee has selected Donna Williams of Susquehanna County as the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award during the Farm Bureau’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Hershey.

The Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award recognizes a woman who, through her leadership, is contributing to the larger agriculture community.

Donna has been farming all her life with her parents and siblings and now continues to farm with her children and on her family’s farm. She has been a Farm Bureau member for more than 30 years, beginning as a newsletter editor and a chairperson for policy development. Since then, Donna has made a big impact not only to the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau but to PFB as well.

“I grew up on a dairy farm and from the time I was in fifth grade. Along with my brothers, I was the oldest with two younger brothers and we had to go to the barn and milk cows,” says Williams.

Since joining Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Williams has contributed much of her time and knowledge to assist anyone and everyone. Other members accredited her as the one that put Susquehanna County on the map. Even though Williams was questioned and looked down upon in the earlier years, she still persisted and became the great role model we know today.

“My brain and my mouth still work pretty good, sometimes I need a zipper right here (Points to mouth). But I have a lot of things I can share with people,” Says Williams.

There’s no doubting wherever Williams goes she not only has joy to bring but a wealth of knowledge as well.

“Donna has always been all in on what she’s been doing and what she does is many different things.” Stated by PFB State Board Director Jim Barbour. “I think we are blessed to have her in Susquehanna County, and she has had an impact in many ways on may levels.” Williams certainly has done her job to leave a special place in everyone’s hearts with how much she has impacted us all.

“Donna is a great example of a farmer who really goes the extra mile for her community and for her local Farm Bureau,” said PFB President Rick Ebert. “Her continued involvement over the years has made a huge impact in our mission advocating for agriculture to members of the public.”

Williams had this to leave for future farmers: “You’ve got to follow your heart and I guess jump in with both feet sometimes, if that’s what it takes. But, it is to me, a tough world out there for somebody getting going. To me, they got to stand tough, and well you need to have some finesse. Whatever you believe and what your morals are and your drive, you just gotta keep at it.”

Hundreds of farmers from across the state attended Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 72nd Annual Meeting at the Hershey Lodge from November 14-16, to set policy for the statewide organization on issues affecting farm and rural families.

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 Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.