American Farm Bureau Honors Young Farmer and Rancher Competitive Event Winners

Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Virtual 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.

Achievement Award

Caleb and Leanne Ragland of Kentucky won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford. In addition, they will receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference, which will be held virtually in March, also courtesy of Ford.

The runners-up in the Achievement Award contest are Jacob and Emily Nolan of Georgia. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH. Matthew and Shelbie Heldreth of Virginia won third place, receiving a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 parts card, courtesy of Case IH, as well as a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Farm Bureau Insurance Services Inc. In addition, they will take home $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. Fourth-place finalists Brian and Ashley Rhodes of Mississippi receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.

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’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

Discussion Meet

Marquee Ricks of Idaho won the Discussion Meet. She is the winner of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford. In addition, she will receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference, which will be held virtually in March, also courtesy of Ford.

The runner-up in the Discussion Meet contest is Clarissa Cauthorn of Missouri. She will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH. Garrett Love of Kansas won third place, receiving a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 parts card, courtesy of Case IH, as well as a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Farm Bureau Insurance Services Inc. In addition, he will take home $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. Fourth-place finalist Tyler Pittman of Florida 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.

Excellence in Agriculture Award

Jackie Mundt of Kansas won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. She will receive a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford. In addition, she will receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference, which will be held virtually in March, also courtesy of Ford.

The runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture contest are Casey and Kelli Snider of Utah. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH. Ann Margaret Hughes of Kentucky won third place, receiving a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 parts card, courtesy of Case IH, as well as a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Farm Bureau Insurance Services Inc. In addition, she will take home $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. Fourth-place finalists Jonathan and Kelsey Grimes of Virginia receive 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, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

New YF&R Executive Team
Also during the convention, members of the AFBF YF&R Committee elected a new executive team. Jon Iverson of Oregon will be the committee’s chair for 2021, taking over the position in March at the end of the FUSION Conference, and will serve for one year. He will also serve a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors. Jocelyn Anderson of California was elected vice chair and April Castle of Kansas was elected secretary. They will each serve one-year terms.