By Jessica Domel
News Editor
Texas was represented well in the Young Farmer & Rancher competitions at the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in Orlando, Fla.
Over the weekend, Timothy and Lindy Gertson of Wharton County were named among the top 10 finalists in AFBF’s Achievement Award competition.
The Gertsons, who grow rice and other crops near Lissie, won Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest in December at TFB’s Annual Meeting.
Cody and Erika Archie of Gatesville in Coryell County also learned over the weekend that they were in the top 10 of AFBF’s Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contest. The Archies own and operate Valet Cleaners and Laundry in Gatesville. They also own Bar 7 Ranch, where they raise cattle and horses.
The couple represented Texas in Florida after winning TFB’s contest in December.
A couple from Minnesota was named the winner in the EIA contest, while a couple from Mississippi took home the Achievement Award.