Young farmers and ranchers from around the country showed off their skills this week at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show.
The Achievement Award, which 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’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership, and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.
Russell and Amelia Kent of Louisiana won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance, and will also receive paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada, Feb. 16-19.
The runners-up in the Achievement Award contest are Justin and Lori McClellan of Virginia. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH. Ben and Katie Furnish of Kentucky are the third place finalists, receiving a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH. In addition, they will take home $2,000 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Black & Decker. Fourth place finalist Cassie Lyman of Arizona receives a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.
The Discussion Meet 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.
Martha Smith of Colorado won the Discussion Meet. She is the winner of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services. She will also receive paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada, Feb. 16-19.
The runner-up in the Discussion Meet contest is Jenny Freeborn of Oregon. She will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH. Jared Knock of South Dakota is the third place finalist, receiving a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH. In addition, he will take home $2,000 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Black & Decker. Fourth place finalist Matt Jakubik of Michigan receives a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Greg and Rose Hartschuh of Ohio won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They will receive a new Ford truck, courtesy of Country Financial, and will also receive paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada, Feb. 16-19.
The runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture contest are Casey and Stacey Phillips of Virginia. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH. Robert and Lindsay Elliott of Tennessee won third place, receiving a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH. In addition, they will take home $2,000 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Black & Decker. Fourth place finalists Wade and Shelby Hampton of Maryland receive a Case IH 40” combination roll cabinet and top chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.
Also at the convention, members of the AFB YF&R Committee elected Russ Kohler of Utah as the committee’s chair for 2018. Kohler will take over as chair in February, at the end of the committee’s leadership conference, and will serve for one year. He will also serve a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors.
