Big or small. Organic or conventional. Grass-fed or grain-fed. Each operation is unique, and every farmer and rancher has a place in Texas agriculture.
Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) annual Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) and Excellence in Agriculture (EIA) contests are a way to highlight the achievements of the younger generation, and this year’s applications are now available.
“This is a great opportunity to recognize young men and women for their service to rural Texas and agriculture,” said TFB Director of Leader Development Whit Weems. “Our young farmers and ranchers go above and beyond to make a difference in their field and communities.”
Applicants for both contests must be under the age of 36 on Jan. 31, 2018.
The Outstanding YF&R contest is designed for TFB members who are actively engaged in farming and/or ranching.
“This contest recognizes the vital role young farmers and ranchers play in sustaining and supporting Texas agriculture,” Weems said. “We reward dedication, perseverance and ingenuity through the contest. Our past winners have come from different parts of the state and different backgrounds.”
One winner is chosen from each of TFB’s 13 districts. Of those, three finalists are selected after a second round of judging. The judges will then visit each of the three finalists’ farm and/or ranch to determine the overall winner.
All three finalists will be showcased at TFB’s annual meeting this December in Frisco, where the winner will be named.
This year’s state winner will receive: the title to a 2018 ¾ ton diesel 4×4 pickup, courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies; $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit; transportation and two nights lodging and meals to the TFB Annual Meeting; and a paid trip to represent TFB in the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Achievement Award program in January in Nashville, Tenn.
The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of the Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and transportation and lodging to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The winner of the national competition will receive a $35,000 credit toward a Ford truck, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. The runner-up will receive a Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, adn the two finalists will receive a combination roll cabinet and top chest, courtesy of Case IH.
EIA rewards TFB members who are involved in agriculture, but don’t make the majority of their income through production agriculture. Eligible applicants include farm store managers, crop consultants, agricultural educators and those who are employed by an agricultural business or agency.
“Agribusinesses provide many services that farmers and ranchers rely on,” Weems said. “This contest highlights Texans who are involved in agribusiness and still make time to be involved in their community and production agriculture.”
The state winner will receive: a side-by-side UTV, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; $5,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Credit; transportation and two nights lodging and meals to TFB’s Annual Meeting in December; and a paid trip to represent TFB in the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award program in January in Nashville, Tenn.
The two runners-up will receive a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and transportation and lodging to the TFB Annual Meeting.
The winner of the AFBF EIA competition will recieve a $35,000 credit toward a Ford truck, courtesy of Country Financial. The runner-up will receive a Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and the two finalists will receive a combination roll cabinet and top chest, courtesy of Case IH.
The application must be submitted online by Aug. 15. More information, online application instructions and the application link can be found at http://bit.ly/TFB-YFR.