| ||||
|
|
Young farmer and rancher awards announced
Winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced Jan. 14 at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 85th annual meeting.
Young farmers and ranchers from around the United States competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.
John and Dana Butler of Tennessee won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a fully loaded 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 pickup truck with a 5.9 liter Cummins high output diesel engine, courtesy of Dodge. They also received a $2,500 voucher from Syngenta Crop Protection and free registration to the 2004 YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 21-23, in Salt Lake City.
Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest included Michael and Sarah Ver Steeg of Iowa, Dale and Lisa Koester of Indiana, Kent and Joy Bauman of Ohio, and Chris and Anna Rawl of South Carolina. They each received a Case IH DX compact tractor, courtesy of Case IH. In addition, Syngenta Crop Protection recognized nine of the 10 Achievement Award finalists with a $1,500 voucher toward the cost of crop protection products.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside Farm Bureau.
Ben Cummings of West Virginia won the Discussion Meet. He will take home a 2004 Dodge 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 pickup truck with a 5.7 liter Hemi magnum engine, courtesy of Dodge, plus free registration to the 2004 YF&R Leadership Conference.
The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet were Julie Gunkel of Wyoming, Trevor Meachum of Michigan, and Steve McShane of California. They each received a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond, courtesy of Cummins Engine Co.
The Discussion Meet program simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined topic.
Troy and Stacy Hadrick of South Dakota won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They received a 2004 Dodge Quad Cab 4x4 1500 pickup truck with SLT trim and a 4.7 liter Magnum V8 engine, plus free registration to the 2004 YF&R Leadership Conference.
The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition were Clay Pope of Oklahoma, Shane and Amy Williams of Tennessee, and Tim and Erin Best of Florida. Each received a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss chainsaw, courtesy of Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment.
The Excellence in Agriculture award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation they own, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants were judged on their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
All the YF&R contestants received an inscribed plaque to recognize their participation and the high level of commitment it takes to compete at the national level.
The American Farm Bureau Federation's YF&R Achievement, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture awards are given each year at AFBF's annual meeting and convention.
Date: 1/19/04
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com
 
| |||||||||||||||||||||
