Young farmers and ranchers win big at AFBF convention

SAN ANTONIO — Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced recently at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 95th Annual Convention.

Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Winners

Brandon and Katherine Whitt, of Tennessee, won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The Whitts will also receive paid registration to attend the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, Va., in February.

Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest are Shane and Mary Courtney, of Kentucky; Jacob and Danielle Larson, of Florida; and Dwight and Jamie Little, of Idaho.

The runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

Discussion meet

Nathan Prill, of Michigan, won the discussion meet. He will have his choice of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

The three runners-up in the discussion meet are Caleb May, of Illinois; Shelby Watson, of Maryland; and Chris Pollack, of Wisconsin. Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.

Linda McClanahan, of Kentucky won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. She will receive her choice of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

Excellence award

The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Emily Buck, of Ohio; Jennifer Hatcher and Chuck Yoest, of Tennessee; and W.P. and Amy Johnson, of Virginia.

Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 45A, courtesy of Case IH, and $3,000 in cash and STIHL merchandise, courtesy of STIHL.