The United Nations General Assembly declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, honoring the vital role that women farmers play in agriculture. Women are critical to the success of agriculture — working the land, running operations, speaking up for the farms and ranches and strengthening rural communities.
West Virginia Farm Bureau women’s leadership committee is celebrating the event by naming a Pillar of Agriculture from within each of the farm bureau’s eight regions.
When the West Virginia Farm Bureau named Amy Batson of Fort Seybert its Region 2 Pillar of Agriculture in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, she described the honor as “deeply humbling.” For Batson, agriculture is more than a profession — it is a family legacy, a personal calling, and a lifelong commitment to stewardship.
In a recent interview, Batson reflected on the path that brought her to this moment.
Rooted in a Family Farm
Batson grew up on her family’s farm, a place where hogs and beef cattle once filled the barns and pastures. “I learned early what hard work looked like,” she said, recalling childhood mornings spent feeding livestock and evenings helping with chores.
During the years, the farm evolved. The family stepped out of the hog business, added a Grade A dairy, and eventually transitioned to a 100 percent beef operation in the 1990s. Those changes shaped her understanding of resilience and adaptation — qualities she would carry throughout her career.
Her youth was steeped in agricultural involvement. Batson spent 12 years in 4‑H showing cattle and judging livestock, and she remained active in FFA. She later joined the livestock and poultry judging teams at West Virginia University, graduating in 1988 with a degree in agriculture.
“Those experiences taught me confidence,” she said. “They taught me to trust what I know.”
A Career Built on Hands‑On Experience
After college, Batson accepted a position managing the farrowing unit on a 1,000‑sow farm in southern Virginia. “It was intense, demanding work — but I loved it,” she recalled. After a year, she returned closer to home and spent the next 13 years working as a poultry service technician, gaining a deep understanding of animal health, production systems, and producer support.
When her twin boys were born, Batson shifted into part‑time substitute teaching from 2007 to 2023, all while continuing to farm. “Agriculture never left my life,” she said. “It was always there, waiting for me.”
Stillhouse Farm: A New Chapter
Today, Batson and her husband, Randy, own Stillhouse Farm, a 110‑acre operation located just four miles from her family’s 320‑acre home farm. Together, the two properties represent more than land — they represent six generations of dedication.
The family’s agricultural roots stretch back to 1869, when William Adamson immigrated from Ireland and eventually settled on the present farm. Over time, the operation grew under the leadership of Batson’s late father, Bob Adamson, and her late uncle, Ben Adamson. “They built the foundation we stand on,” she said.
Batson and her brother, Jim Adamson, now co‑own the family farm through A&B Livestock. Her brother, who lives in Illinois, returns home to plant and harvest corn and handle equipment maintenance. Day‑to‑day operations fall to Amy and Randy Batson, who manage the cattle, goats, and crop work.
Goats, Cattle, and Conservation
In 2012, Batson added Boer goats to the operation, raising both registered stock and show wethers. She maintains a herd of 40–45 brood does and has become a respected breeder in the region.
The cattle operation includes 140 brood cows that are good agricultural practices, all‑natural certified. The farm also produces 80 acres of hay and 50 acres of corn, supplemented by several rented properties.
Conservation is central to their management philosophy. “We’ve practiced no‑till for years,” Batson explained. “We use rotational grazing and plant cover crops, usually barley, to protect our soil and improve our pastures.” These practices reflect her belief that good farming means leaving the land better than you found it.
Service Beyond the Farm
Batson’s commitment to agriculture extends into community leadership. She currently serves on the Pendleton County Farmland Protection Board, is treasurer and a board member of the Blue Ridge Boer Goat Breeders, and is active on the Tri‑County Fair goat committee.
Her involvement, she said, is driven by a desire to support other farmers and strengthen rural communities. “Agriculture is a team effort,” she noted. “We all depend on each other.”
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
When her father was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, Batson stepped into full‑time management of the cattle farm. After his passing in 2025, she and her brother inherited the operation. The responsibility is one she carries with pride.
“Every day, I think about the generations before me,” she said. “I think about what they sacrificed so we could be here. And I think about the generations who will come after us.”
As the International Year of the Woman Farmer shines a spotlight on women shaping agriculture, Batson stands as a powerful example — a farmer whose life reflects resilience, dedication, and deep respect for the land.
“I’m honored,” she said simply. “But more than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful to farm. Grateful to carry this legacy forward. Grateful to be part of something bigger than myself.”
