|
|
Groups name finalists for NOYF ProgramThe U.S. Junior Chamber, John Deere, the Outstanding Farmers of America Fraternity, and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents are pleased to announce the selection of the Class of 2008. An Oklahoma farmer has been named as one of 10 finalists and has an opportunity to be named one of four national winners. The National Outstanding Young Farmers Program was created to foster better urban-rural relations by creating a greater public interest in, and understanding of, today's farmer and his or her challenges. The NOYF Program has been sponsored by John Deere for more than 30 years, administered by The U.S. Junior Chamber and supported by the Outstanding Farmers of America Fraternity and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The NOYF Program has recognized farmers for their outstanding achievements for over 50 years. In Madison, Wis., the NOYF Awards Congress will be held, Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 at the Madison Concourse Hotel on Capitol Square. From all nominations submitted to the national competition, the top four will receive the honor as being named National Winners and receive a cash reward and a trip to our nations capitol during Ag Week. The top 10 finalists will receive an all expense paid trip for themselves and his/her spouse to the National Awards Congress where they'll participate in a four day event which includes educational speakers, tours, and the weekend culminates with a formal awards banquet and ceremony and the naming of the four National Winners for 2008. All of this made possible through the national sponsorship of Deere & Company. Martin Williams' earliest memories include the family wheat farm, driving his dad's tractor regularly by the age of 11, and spending the summer he was 12 on a wheat combine. He calls the decision of entering farming full-time a "no brainer." As a young farmer, he has had to sell his abilities to landlords in the area, convincing them that despite the fact that he would not be able to pay as much as some older farmers might be offering on a piece of land, that they would be rewarded with a better steward of the land if they would only give Marty a chance. Williams expresses gratitude that many of his landlords trusted that he would do what he promised. Williams and wife Crystal, Red Rock, Okla., have a goal to own half of the land they farm, but he acknowledges that it has been, and will likely continue to be, an uphill struggle. He says that older farmers and others with outside money have bid up the price of many parcels where a beginning farmer cannot compete with them in the purchase of that land. He credits the beginning farmer loan program from the Farm Service Agency as a vehicle that allowed him to buy his first farm acreage. Williams is not afraid to be an innovator, becoming one of the first in his county to make a switch to no-till farming practices, and then modifying complete no-till with a strip tillage plan to accommodate better placement of cheaper forms of fertilizer. He has also embraced a cutting-edge practice developed by Oklahoma State University called the GreenSeeker technology that allows him to be more precise in applying exact amounts of nitrogen as the crop grows. While Williams believes he was born to be a farmer, growing up on the family farm, the love of his life, Crystal, grew up a small-town girl that has now moved out into the country, juggling a teaching job in a local elementary school, driving 40 miles to work on her master's degree, and helping when she can on the farm. He credits her willingness to fully partner with him as a key to their farming success to this point in their young lives. To learn more about the National Outstanding Young Farmers Program and The U.S. Junior Chamber, visit www.usjaycees.org. 2/18/08 Date: 2/14/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. 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 |
|
