Written by: Emma Hamlin, Policy Intern
In agriculture, resilience is more than a word. It’s a way of life. Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural families understand that challenges rarely come one at a time. Floods, fires, drought, storms, and unexpected loss can change everything in an instant. Yet through it all, the agriculture community continues to show up with grit, faith, and determination.
That spirit of perseverance is exactly why the Ag Women Connect Foundation was created.
Founded in 2023 by Venessa Wood, the foundation was born from a deep understanding of the struggles agricultural families face. After devastating tornadoes struck Matador and Perryton, Texas, Venessa recognized a need for an organization dedicated to helping those in agriculture recover from natural disasters and life’s hardest moments.
Growing up in agriculture, Venessa knew firsthand how burdensome things can feel. But she also knew something else: when the ag community comes together, hope grows stronger. In agriculture, people don’t wait to be asked to help; they simply show up.
When wildfires threatened communities in Kress, Texas, 19-year-old Austin Grulkey immediately climbed onto a water truck and trailer, beginning to help people in the community. While others evacuated or assessed damage, he stepped in without hesitation to serve neighbors in need.
These kinds of moments may never make national headlines, but in agriculture, they tell a familiar story. It’s neighbors helping neighbors. It’s showing up when circumstances are hard. It’s the kind of quiet strength and generosity that defines rural communities.
The Ag Women Connect Foundation was built on that same spirit. The foundation exists to support individuals and families navigating hardship, whether that means rebuilding barns, repairing fences, helping after a natural disaster, or simply being a source of encouragement during difficult seasons. It was created on the belief that healing and restoration are possible through faith in God and the strength of community.
But the foundation’s mission doesn’t stop there. The Ag Women Connect Foundation is also investing in the future of agriculture by providing scholarships to students pursuing careers in the industry. Because agriculture needs leaders in every role, not just those attending traditional four-year universities.
Some students choose a trade school. Others return to family farms and ranches, enroll in two-year programs, or start agricultural businesses of their own. Every path matters, and every future deserves support. In just a few short years, the foundation has awarded 21 scholarships to young women and men across the United States.
At its core, the Ag Women Connect Foundation is more than financial support. It is mentorship. It is a community. It is people showing up for one another in moments of heartbreak and hope. It is a reminder that no one in agriculture should have to walk through hardship alone.
How You Can Help
The impact of the Ag Women Connect Foundation is only possible because of generous supporters who believe in serving the agriculture community.
When you donate, you are helping:
- Agricultural families recover after natural disasters
- Individuals and families facing loss and hardship
- Rebuild barns, fences, and critical agricultural infrastructure
- Provide scholarships for future agricultural leaders
- Build mentorship, connection, and long-term support systems in rural communities
No gift is too small. Every donation becomes part of a larger promise to stand beside the people who feed, clothe, and fuel our nation.
If you believe in supporting agriculture through life’s toughest seasons and investing in the next generation, consider donating to the Ag Women Connect Foundation today.
Together, we can continue building hope, restoring lives, and strengthening the future of agriculture, one family, one student, and one community at a time.
To donate, follow the link HERE!!
