Eight young farm families were honored for excellence in production agriculture, Alabama Farmers Federation involvement, and community service on February 15 during the Young Farmers Conference in Muscle Shoals.
Contestants in the Outstanding Young Farm Family competition ranged from 18 to 35 years old and competed through an intense application and interview process.
Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer commended competitors for their dedication and enthusiasm. He called the OYFF contest a “launchpad” for future leaders of the Federation.
“It’s always exciting to see young farm families work through the OYFF process,” McBrayer said. “While we’re blessed to give out an incredible slate of prizes thanks to generous sponsors, competing in the OYFF is about more than just ‘stuff.’ It encourages farmers to think about where they’ve come from, where they are now, and where they’re going. Many leaders in the Federation today got their start competing in contests just like this.”
“With this caliber of contestants, I’m confident we are developing strong leaders of tomorrow. Alabama agriculture is in good hands.”
Three finalist families were chosen. They are:
- Drew and Lauren Wendland, Autauga County
- Also Hay & Forage Division winner
- Jacob and Misty Porter, Clay County
- Also Poultry Division winner
- Garrett and Robin Dixon, Lee County
- Also Peanut Division winner
As OYFF finalists, the Wendlands, Porters, and Dixons will compete for more than $80,000 in prizes during on-farm judging this summer. The winner will be announced during the Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on August 16. All three finalists received custom Adirondack chairs courtesy of the Federation.
Additionally, five more families were honored as OYFF commodity division winners. These young farmers will serve ex-officio terms on respective state commodity committees and affiliated organization boards. They received $500 from the Federation.
They are:
- Cade and Shelby Easterling, Barbour County, Sheep & Goat
- Christopher and Hannah Langley, Chambers County, Forestry
- Tommy and Lauren Murray, Franklin County, Fruit & Vegetable
- Heath Clary, Hale County, Catfish
- Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Lawrence County, Beef
Courtesy of ALFA Farmers
