MECHANICSVILLE—With 2026 dedicated as International Year of the Woman Farmer, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is recognizing three women in insurance dedicated to protecting the agricultural livelihoods of farmers and rural Virginians.
Leah Roller of Hanover County didn’t have a farming background when she joined Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. as an insurance agent 30 years ago. Trading her “high heels for muck boots,” she walked alongside farmers in cow pastures, conducting coverage reviews while gaining real insight into their operations.
That initiative laid the foundation for a career built on trust and relationships—earning her multiple state and national awards and propelling her to becoming VFBMIC’s first female regional sales manager.
Today, Roller leads roughly 135 agents, agency managers, member service specialists and associate agents across the northern third of Virginia, mentoring award-winning teams who help Farm Bureau members safeguard their families, farms and businesses.
“Farming isn’t just an occupation, it’s a way of life,” she explained. “Our members are creating a legacy to pass down through generations, and we’re helping protect what they’ve built. It’s a rewarding challenge.”
Over time, more women are leading conversations about insurance, risk management and long-term strategies—a shift that carries significance, Roller said. Being the first woman in her role has made the journey “even more meaningful.
“I’ve seen it as an opportunity to pave the way for future women leaders.”
As farmers face endless variables, uncertainties and worries, one of VFBMIC’s regional crop agents is the can-do friend with a plan.
“It’s showing up when they don’t need me, just to make sure they’re okay,” said Sharon Ambrose of Essex County.
Ambrose focuses on relationships with farmers, and obtaining and maintaining new policies throughout their entire life cycle—all while navigating ever-evolving federal regulations, farming challenges and coverage needs.
“Crop insurance is an essential tool because the markets change so often these days, the prices of inputs are increasing, and it’s so hard to put all that money into a crop and not get anything back if we have another dry year like 2024,” she noted. “It keeps them afloat so they can be around next year.”
Ambrose finds the greatest fulfillment in “helping the farmer”—learning their operations, tailoring coverages to their needs, and checking in with a friendly phone call or farm visit.
“I would be perfectly happy doing this until I retire,” she said.
Pulaski County native Kim Price served primarily in underwriting at VFBMIC, retiring as farm & field underwriting manager this spring. In 2025, the company’s Farm New Business Written Premium reached $3.7 million.
“This is the highest we’ve seen in years,” she said in March. “It’s a joint effort among the sales force, field underwriting, and the farm underwriting team to bring these numbers in.”
She recalled the days when the farm division primarily underwrote more traditional operations such as cattle and crop farms.
“But it’s very different than when we first got started years ago,” she said. “Our farm operations are becoming very diverse, and we’ve adjusted to that. We want to keep the momentum going!”
-Virginia Farm Bureau
